From the FB page of Afzal Khan MP (Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme), Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims:
Today in Prime Minister’s Questions, the Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, claimed that the definition of Islamophobia as agreed by the APPG for British Muslims said, “talking about sex groomers was an example of Islamophobia”.
This is categorically untrue and another example of the Tory leader spreading misinformation for her own political agenda. The definition does not impede free speech, nor does it stop us from holding criminals to account.
The section of the report Badenoch referenced outlines contemporary examples of Islamophobia, such as using offensive tropes to portray Muslims as inherently violent.
These stereotypes have horrific ramifications on the lives of innocent British Muslims, including the tragic murder of 81-year-old grandfather Mushin Ahmed in 2015 by two individuals radicalised by such narratives and labelled him a “groomer”.
Badenoch’s statement is misleading and distracts from urgent conversations on grooming, exploitation, and protecting vulnerable people in our society.
Tackling grooming requires focus, resources, and unity — not divisive rhetoric that shifts attention from victims or perpetuates harmful stereotypes.