Talking earlier about how there are already many groups coming out to say that this is absolutely the wrong thing for the government to do to broaden this definition , to name and this definition, to name and shame groups that they deem to be extreme list. Weve had muslim groups saying that the government is seeking a problem or seeking a solution to a problem that does not exist. Weve had Civil Liberties groups talking about free speech are. And heres michael gove. And heres michael gove. Yes. Yes. Yes. In the governments strategy to counter extremism and to build Greater National resilience and social cohesion, the United Kingdom is a success story. A multinational, multi ethnic, multi faith democracy is stronger because of our diversity, but our democracy and our values of inclusivity and our values of inclusivity and tolerance are under challenge from extremist groups, which are radicalising our young people and driving greater polarisation within and between communities to further their own ends. Communities to further their own ends. In communities to further their own ends. In order to communities to further their own ends. In order to protect our ends. In order to protect our Democratic Values and enhance social cohesion, it is important both to reinforce what we all have in common and to be clear and precise in identifying the dangers posed by extremism as our new definition makes clear that extremism can lead to the radicalisation of individuals, deny people their full rights and opportunities , suppress and opportunities, suppress freedom of expression, incite hatred , weaken social cohesion hatred, weaken social cohesion and ultimately it can lead to acts of terrorism. Most extremist materials and activities are not illegal and do not need to. Terrorism or National Security threshold. For example, islamist and Neo Nazi Groups in britain are operating lawfully, but they advocate and work towards the replacement of democracy with an islamist or nazi society. The department for levelling up, housing and communities has been working with local authorities, Civil Society and faith groups, especially where especially in those areas where social cohesion is most under strain to de escalate tensions and to explore the most constructive support that we can offer. From constructive support that we can offer. From our engagement, we hear widespread unease over the safety and security of community organisations, political candidates and elected officials. Councillors have been threatened with violence. Council meetings have been disrupted, Council Officers and elected members talk of walking a tightrope , terrified of a tightrope, terrified of inadvertently saying the wrong thing of offending one side or another. Many choose to remain silent , to take no action. Mr silent, to take no action. Mr speaken silent, to take no action. Mr speaker, such is the Chilling Effect of these extremist groups on our democracy. It is, of on our democracy. It is, of course, gravely concerning that the conflict in the middle east is driving further polarisation. Weve seen a terrible increase in and anti muslim in anti semitic and anti muslim hate crime, as well as a very significant increase in radicalisation. Troublingly. There is also evidence that some islamists and extreme right wing groups , and others who seek to groups, and others who seek to tear our society apart, are working together to maximise the reach of their message and cause. And that is why the work of Civil Society organisations such as the Community Security trust and tell mama as well as muslims against anti semitism, the Educational Charity solutions not sides and the forum for discussion of israel and palestine is so important. We have provided additional funding for the cst and tell mama to counter anti semitism and anti Muslim Hatred, and we will do more. We will shortly do more. We will shortly establish a new fund to provide additional direct and tangible support for grassroots organisations. Building bridges and fighting division. I wish to commend those doing so much to counter prejudice in working with Civil Society. Its critically important that we do not unwittingly or through ignorance, fund or otherwise support organisations or individuals who are themselves extremist. In the past, it has unfortunately been the case that extremist groups and actors have sought to present themselves as moderate representative moderate voices, representative of majority or mainstream opinion. The government has had a definition of extremism since 2011. It has helped inform our prevent Counter Terrorism work, and was designed to assist the government in engagement. But in government in engagement. But in a considerable number of cases, organisations and individuals with views which are clearly extreme have nevertheless benefited from state engagement, endorsement and support, and furthermore have exploited that association to further their extremist agendas. Association to further their extremist agendas. Among the extremist agendas. Among the most significant was shakeel begg, who was labelled an islamist extremist by a judge. Mr begg, an nhs chaplain and regular speaker at state schools, ran the Lewisham Islamic Centre and was on both the metropolitan polices independent Advisory Group in lewisham and lewisham standing advisory on religious Advisory Committee on religious education. In 2016, mr begg sued the when they described him the bbc when they described him accurately as an extremist. The judge in the case, mrJustice Haddon cave, conducted his own scrupulous research , identifying scrupulous research, identifying many occasions where mr begg had advocated positions, advocated extreme positions, including promoting and encouraging religious violence by telling a muslim audience that violence in support of islam would constitute a mans greatest deed. Not only did mr Justice Haddon cave dismiss mr beggs claim, he drew specific attention the danger of attention to the danger of extremists exploiting sponsorship state sponsorship from state institutions , and he outlined institutions, and he outlined the need for an updated and more precise definition of extremism to engagement by to guide engagement by government and we government and others. And we have since seen how figures of potential concern have potential extremism concern have been able to work with the crown prosecution and the Prosecution Service and the metropolitan , co opt metropolitan police, co opt Charities Benefit metropolitan police, co opt chari Public Benefit metropolitan police, co opt charipublic funding benefit metropolitan police, co opt charipublic funding and efit metropolitan police, co opt charipublic funding and we know from public funding and we know from public funding and we know from william shawcrosss excellent independent review of prevent that such engagement has inadvertently provided a platform , funding or legitimacy platform, funding or legitimacy for groups or individuals who oppose our shared values. This apparent legitimising of their views can lead extremists of all ideologies to be emboldened and to exert greater influence. That is why today my department is publishing an updated, more precise rigorous definition publishing an updated, more pr plans drawn up in close collaboration with the home office, will enable the government to express more clearly than ever before which groups within extremism groups fall within the extremism definition , and we can point to definition, and we can point to the explain the the evidence and explain the funding engagement funding and engagement consequences. They will also support National Efforts to counter the work of extremists who promote their ideologies, both online and offline. The new definition will strengthen vital frontline counter radicalisation work, and the new centre of excellence also help us to excellence will also help us to understand the role played by state state linked state actors and state linked organisations in extremist activity, which taking place organisations in extremist acoury, which taking place organisations in extremist acour country taking place organisations in extremist acour country , taking place organisations in extremist acour country , and. Ing place organisations in extremist acour country , and the place organisations in extremist acour country , and the wider in our country, and the wider knowledge of what constitutes extremist and who is extremist behaviour and who is behind it, will, i hope, help all of us to identify potential threats and to take steps to challenge marginalise them challenge and marginalise them critically, rights we critically, the rights that we enjoy kingdom enjoy in the United Kingdom extend to everyone freedom of expression, freedom of religion and belief, the rule of law, upholding democracy and equal rights. These are the cornerstones of our civilised society , which as a government, society, which as a government, as a parliament on every side of this house we strive always to uphold. So let me be clear our definition will not affect gender critical campaigners , gender critical campaigners, those with conservative religious beliefs, trans activists, environmental protest groups or those exercising their proper right to free speech. The government is taking every possible precaution to strike a balance in drawing up the new definition between protecting fundamental and fundamental rights and safeguarding citizens. Our definition on the work of definition draws on the work of dame sara khan, the governments independent reviewer of social cohesion, and sir mark rowley, the metropolitan Police Commissioner , before his commissioner, before his appointment that the appointment to that post. The proposed definition will hold that extremism is the promotion or ideology or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance aims to negate intolerance that aims to negate or destroy the fundamental, fundamental rights and freedoms of others or undermine, overturn or system of or replace the uks system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic or and democratic rights, or intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve these results , others to achieve these results, it is important to stress that we are in no way intending to restrict freedom of expression, religion or belief, but the government cannot be in a position where, unwittingly or not, we sponsor, subsidise or support in any way. Organisations and individuals opposed to the freedoms we hold dear across this house. I am sure that we would agree that organisations such as the British National socialist movement and patriotic alternative, who promote neo nazi alternative, who promote neo nazi ideology , argue for neo nazi ideology, argue for forced repatriation. A White Ethnostate and the targeting of minority groups for intimidation are precisely the type of groups about which we should be concerned and whose activities we will assess against the new definition. The activities of these extreme right of the extreme right wing are a growing worry, the targeting of both muslim and jewish communities and by these groups and individuals by these groups is a profound concern, requiring concerted action. And it is important, just as with our definition of extremism, to be precise in the use of language, when discussing islamism, islamism should never be confused with islam. Islam is a great faith , a religion of peace great faith, a religion of peace which provides spiritual nourishment to millions , nourishment to millions, inspires countless acts of charity, and celebrates virtues of generosity, compassion and kindness. Islamic ism is a totalitarian ideology which seeks to divide calls for the establishment of an Islamic State governed by sharia law , state governed by sharia law, and seeks the overthrow of liberal democratic principles. It has its roots in the thinking of the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood , hassan al banna, brotherhood, hassan al banna, the of Jamaat Islami the founder of Jamaat E IslamiAbul Ala Maududi and the Muslim Brotherhood ideologue sayyid kutub. The Palestinian Branch of the Muslim Brotherhood is , of the Muslim Brotherhood is, of course, hamas. Organisations such as the Muslim Association of britain, which is the british affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood, and other groups such as cage and mend , give rise such as cage and mend, give rise to concern for their islamist orientation and views. We will orientation and views. We will be holding these and other organisations to account to assess if they meet our definition of extremism and will take action as appropriate. There are, of course, further steps that we will take in the coming days and weeks to marginalise extremist groups and to support and strengthen those communities extremists are communities where extremists are most active and spreading division. Include division. This will include responding to Dame Sarah Khans forthcoming report on social cohesion and democratic resilience, and lord waldens independent of how to independent review of how to counter Political Violence and disruption. In this debate. We must never forget about the experiences of victims of extremism who are targeted by extremist groups, and the severe and distressing impact it has on their lives. So am pleased their lives. So i am pleased that sarah khan will that Dame Sarah Khan will be addressing her addressing this in her forthcoming. As the prime forthcoming report. As the Prime Minister has said, the time has come for us all to stand together to combat the forces of division and to beat this poison, the liberties that we hold indeed the hold dear and indeed the democratic principles were all sent uphold, require to sent here to uphold, require to us counter and challenge the extremists who seek to intimidate , to coerce, and to intimidate, to coerce, and to divide. We have to be clear eyed about the threat we face, precise about where that threat comes from, and rigorous in defending that defending our democracy. That means upholding freedom of expression, religion, and belief. When they are threatened, facing down harassment supporting harassment and hate, supporting the communities facing the greatest challenge from extremist activity and ensuring this house and this country are safe, free and united. I commend this statement the house. This statement to the house. I now call the shadow secretary of state, Angela Rayner. Raynen thank you, mr speaker. Can i start by thanking the secretary of state for advance sight of this statement and for his briefing yesterday . Hateful extremism threatens the safety of our communities and the unity of our communities and the unity of our communities and the unity of our country. Everyone across this house can agree that this is a serious problem which demands a serious response. So i want to begin by saying from the outset, when it comes to our National Security , when it comes National Security, when it comes to the threat of radicalisation , to the threat of radicalisation, when it comes to the toxic scourge of islamophobia , scourge of islamophobia, neo nazism, anti semitism or any other corrosive hatred, the whole house can and should Work Together the way the government does. This work matters, and the language that we all use is important. And i want to welcome important. And i want to welcome the secretary of states opening words that it is our diversity and our values, which make our country stronger. Indeed, the secretary of state is right to raise the concerns about the dangers facing our elected representatives. We must be free to represent the views of our constituents. We all have a responsibility to work to extinguish the flames of division and never to fan them. Division and never to fan them. While it may be part of the nature of our politics for passion to sometimes take centre stage, and while we may challenge and probe these plans today, if the secretary of state wants to engage Going Forward, he has my word that we can do so in good faith and the reason that i say challenge is because i do believe he has made a mistake in the way that this policy has been trailed in the last week. So i am glad that he has now come to the house to give clarification. But it is not right have spent the not right that we have spent the last days poring over a last few days poring over a possible definition the possible new definition in the papers , and it is not right that papers, and it is not right that the department has leaked the names of groups that may or may not be covered by this definition. When he rightly says this work should be based on due diligence, and it is not right that each stage of the recruitment of a new islamophobia adviser has been mired in controversy. So can the mired in controversy. So can the secretary of state confirm he has now appointed an adviser . So has now appointed an adviser . So on todays announcement, mr speaker