PA MediaThe UK government has unveiled a new extremism definition, which will restrict certain groups from government funding and meeting officials. The definition applies to groups that promote an ideology based on violence, hatred, or intolerance but does not criminalize them. Communities Secretary Michael Gove has criticized recent government rhetoric on extremism, stating that a surge in extremism since the Israel-Gaza war poses a real risk to the UK. Civil liberties advocates, community groups, and MPs have criticized recent government rhetoric on extremism, with Zaara Mohammed, head of the Muslim Council of Britain, stating that the definition would lead to the "unfair targeting of Muslim communities."
The government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Jonathan Hall, has warned that the new policy could undermine the UK's reputation because it would not be seen as democratic. It is not known which groups the government plans to label as extremist, though it has promised to publish a list in the coming weeks and suggested Islamists and neo-Nazis will be targeted. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has previously stated that pro-Palestinian protests have taken place since the Hamas attacks in Israel, and that "forces here at home trying to tear us apart" are under threat.
Under the new definition, extremism is defined as the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred, or intolerance that aims to:
negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others; or undermine, overturn, or replace the UK's system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights; or intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve the results in (1) or (2). The previous definition, introduced in 2011 under the Prevent strategy, described extremism as "vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and belief."
Critics have warned that a new definition could worsen community tensions and expose ministers to legal challenges if left too broad. Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner urged the Conservatives and Labour to work together to build a shared understanding of extremism and a strategy to prevent it that can stand the test of time, no matter which party wins an election.
