Government review on hate crime laws consults Muslim groups previously barred from engagement
Home Office says new laws on protests and extremism ' must be fit for purpose and consistently applied'
An official government review into public order and hate crime laws has issued a “call for evidence” to groups including the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB), and Friends of Al-Aqsa, according to reports.
The invitations are part of an independent review led by Lord Macdonald, the former Director of Public Prosecutions, examining whether current laws adequately protect communities from intimidation and hatred while safeguarding the right to protest and freedom of expression.
The review was announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, following concerns about the impact of pro-Palestine demonstrations, including extremist chants and placards.
Documents seen by The Times reveal that officials reached out to the MCB, MAB, and Friends of Al-Aqsa. The MCB, Britain’s largest Muslim umbrella body representing over 500 mosques, schools, and charities, has been excluded from formal government engagement since 2009 after a senior official was accused of supporting violence against Israel.
Official policy still bars engagement with the MCB.
MAB has previously been highlighted in Parliament as a “cause for concern” under extremism definitions, and Friends of Al-Aqsa’s founder has been criticised for praising Hamas.
These groups, along with the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign—which was also asked to provide evidence—have helped organise major pro-Palestine demonstrations in the UK over the past year.
Ministers have said the review will assess whether existing legislation is sufficient and consistently applied. Lord Macdonald retains discretion in whom to approach for evidence.
Fiyaz Mughal, founder of Faith Matters, Tell Mama, and Muslims Against Antisemitism, told The Times: “It seems like the government is saying one thing and doing another. While they claim to have upheld the notion of ‘no engagement’, this government-commissioned review has directly asked for evidence from two groups who have a questionable history. The government must come clean about whether they still believe in the non-engagement policy.”
In 2024, then-Communities Secretary Michael Gove described MAB as the UK affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood, which MAB denies.
MAB confirmed that it was invited to submit evidence after previously being questioned about its exclusion.
The organisation said: “It is entirely proper for organisations and communities that will be directly affected by proposed changes to legislation to be consulted.”
Friends of Al-Aqsa founder Ismail Patel was named in a government anti-extremism review as having previously met Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and praised Hamas for “standing up to Israel.”
Shadow Equalities Minister Claire Coutinho said: “The government-commissioned review is actively consulting groups who were on the non-engagement list under the Conservatives because they push dangerous messages and have alleged links to extremist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood. ”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Our laws must protect the public while safeguarding the rights to protest and to free speech. That is why the home secretary asked Lord Macdonald to lead an independent review of public order and hate crime legislation.
“Lawful protest and free speech are fundamental rights, but we cannot allow them to be abused to spread hate or cause disorder. The law must be fit for purpose and consistently applied.”
MCB General Secretary Dr Wajid Akhter commented: “The MCB’s role is to represent British Muslims and engage constructively on issues that affect their rights, safety and civic life. We’re less interested in political theatre and self-appointed gatekeepers, and more focused on tackling hate crime, defending civil liberties, and contributing serious evidence to public debate.”
Friends of Al-Aqsa were contacted for comment.
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