Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the recent increased incidence of hate crime, what assessment they have made of the letter to political parties from the Chair and Chief Executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission calling for policy debate to be conducted in a way which brings the country together and stating that elected representatives should engage people on contentious issues in a responsible and considered way.

I am aware of the letter from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which addresses important issues. As the Prime Minister has made clear, hate crime of any kind, directed against any community, race or religion has absolutely no place in British society.

As the Equality and Human Rights Commission recognises, it is for political parties to monitor the content of their campaigns and challenge that of others, as part of free political debate.