South Wales Police Drop Controversial Anti-Muslim Hostility Policy

In a significant move for free speech advocates, South Wales Police has decided to halt a policy that required officers to document “hostility” towards Muslims. This decision comes after pressure from various groups and individuals concerned about the implications for freedom of expression.

The criticized guidance on “anti-Muslim hostility” had instructed officers to note any discussions about Islam that exceeded what was deemed “legitimate” discourse. The cessation of this guidance followed interventions from Claire Coutinho, a Conservative Shadow Cabinet member, and the Free Speech Union (FSU), an organization established by Conservative peer Lord Young.

Coutinho escalated the issue to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, while the FSU threatened legal action through a judicial review if the guidance was not retracted. The FSU argued that the policy effectively amounted to an “Islamic blasphemy law” being enforced by the police.

The FSU further highlighted the potential repercussions of the guidance, suggesting that criticisms of Islam might be classified as “anti-social behaviour,” possibly appearing on DBS checks and affecting employment opportunities in sectors such as teaching or caregiving.

Although South Wales Police has officially paused the guidance, the FSU remains optimistic that the initiative will be permanently discontinued. In a video on X, Lord Young stated, “We thought it was plainly unlawful to issue this guidance and we were willing to go to court to prove that.” He emphasized that similar measures by any police force would be contested.

Christian writer Tim Dieppe expressed approval of the police’s reversal, commenting on X, “Good that the police have dropped this. They should never have thought this was the right thing to do in the first place. We need the police to protect free speech – not restrict it.”

Claire Coutinho remarked on the reversal, asserting, “No religion should be protected from criticism in this country. Now it’s on the Government to repeal their Islamophobia definition and stop this happening again.”

Previously, Dieppe had critiqued the government’s new definition of “anti-Muslim hostility,” arguing that it unfairly grants Islam protections not extended to other faiths. Apologist David Robertson also voiced concerns about potential prosecutions resulting from the definition.