The UK government has introduced a new definition of extremism that will result in certain groups being denied funding and the opportunity to meet with officials. Communities Secretary Michael Gove delivered details of the changes in the House of Commons. Under the new definition, extremism is now defined as promoting an ideology that is based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that aims to negate or destroy the freedoms of others or to overturn or replace the UK’s liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights or intentionally create an environment for others to achieve such aims. Gove said that the new definition was narrower and more precise than that introduced in 2011, and would target groups rather than individuals.
A new Counter-Extremism Centre of Excellence will be launched to gather intelligence and identify extremist groups. Groups and individuals labelled extremist will have the right to seek reassessment and submit new evidence to a review. If they still disagree, they can challenge the decision through a judicial review. However, organisations or individuals added to the list will not face criminalisation, unlike terrorist groups.
Groups and individuals labelled extremist will have the right to seek reassessment and submit new evidence to a review, and can challenge the decision through a judicial review. However, they will not be criminalised, unlike terrorists. Gove revealed that under the new definition, the British National Socialist Movement and Patriotic Alternative, which he said promoted Neo-Nazi ideology, would be assessed. Meanwhile, the Muslim Association of Britain, which is affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood, Cage and MEND were organisations that are of particular concern because of their “Islamist orientation and views”.
Critics have argued that the new definition could further divide communities and criminalise free speech. Zara Mohammed, head of the Muslim Council of Britain, said it could lead to the “unfair targeting of Muslim communities”, and London mayor, Sadiq Khan, said it could foster division rather than education. Conservative MPs have also warned that the definition could be applied much more widely than was intended, potentially even to groups who campaign against abortion or are gender-critical. Despite this, the government has insisted that the policy will not target those with “private, peaceful beliefs
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