Prime Minister defends new extremism measures during Gloucester visit
Rishi Sunak has been at Kingsholm today (March 14th)
Last updated 14th Mar 2024
The Prime Minister has used a visit to Gloucester on Thursday (March 14th) to reiterate his commitment to tackling extremism, amid concerns on a new definition of the term.
Groups which promote an 'ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance' will be denied state funding.
It follows a wake of anti-Semitic and Islamophobic abuse in the wake of the October the 7th attacks in Israel.
Speaking in the Commons, the Communities Secretary Michael Gove specifically mentioned the Muslim Association of Britain, Cage and Mend as organisations which could potentially be sanctioned under the new rules, saying they 'give rise to concern for their Islamist orientation'.
Rishi Sunak, who's been visiting Gloucester Rugby's Kingsholm Stadium, has denied that the definition would lead to tighter rules on people carrying out public demonstrations.
He said:
"This is not about supressing free speech, which is fundamental to who we are as a country.
"But it is about making sure where there is activity which goes against our democratic values, that the Government has the tools it needs to protect against that and not engage inappropriately with those organisations."
Mr Sunak was asked during the visit whether the Cheltenham-based GCHQ intelligence agency would help to define who is classed as an extremist under the new rules.
While he didn't answer that directly, the Prime Minister said that there was 'absolutely no place in society' for anti-Jewish or anti-Muslim hatred.
"Recently we announced significant funding to protect mosques and other religious institutions, multiple years of funding, to ensure their safety, which I think is absolutely right.
"But we should never conflate the peaceful practice of the religion of Islam with Islamist extremists, and I said that on the steps of Downing Street, it's wrong to conflate those things, they are not the same."
During the visit, Mr Sunak also confirmed that regulations around funeral directors are being reviewed, as part of an investigation into a funeral home in Hull which is currently under investigation.
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of preventing a lawful and decent burial at the Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, following a series of forensics searches. Both have since been bailed.
Mr Sunak said:
"When any family experiences that loss, what they deserve is the dignity and respect that they need at that particular point time.
"Some of the things that we've been hearing about are very concerning.
"From our point of view, we're already in a dialogue with the industry, to make sure that that is provided to people when they need it."
During his visit, Mr Sunak met with members of both the Gloucester Rugby mens' team and Gloucester-Hartpury women's rugby team, and was presented with a personalised shirt.