GB News Islamophobia row kicks off as guest rages ‘you’re twisting what I’m saying’

Angela Rayner's initiative has sparked a heated debate on GB News. The debate boiled over when Labour councillor Sebastian Salek defended the government's proposals for an official Islamophobia definition. Sebastian clashed with political commentator Alex Deane, as the conversation showed deep divisions over Rayner's initiative to establish guidelines on anti-Muslim discrimination. Salek stated, "Clearly, there is an issue, and Muslims are suffering abuse they should not be suffering in this country," but he faced fierce criticism from Deane, who warned that the proposals risked creating accidental blasphemy legislation.

Alex Deane argued: "Muslims don't need special treatment. There's a chance we get a blasphemy law for one faith alone by accident." The debate then reached a fiery level when Deane noted potential contradictions between the proposed definition and investigations into child sexual exploitation.

He explained: "This government has commissioned a review that says the issue of child sexual abuse by ethnic groups is important, but is also signing up to a definition of Islamophobia that says, 'you can't.'"

Mr Salek responded: "We're not talking about changing the law or limiting what people can say; it's about raising awareness of the ways Muslims sadly suffer discrimination in this country."

Labour's efforts to develop this definition have encountered several obstacles. Rayner was forced to postpone the definition after Tory campaigners flooded officials with thousands of critical submissions.

In addition, major voices within anti-discrimination circles have shown reservations. Fiyaz Mughal told The Times, "It will raise community tensions, and it will just add to the narrative that actually one community is getting a better deal than another. And that just leads to local anger."

On GB News, Salek then drew comparisons with existing protections, highlighting: "We rightly have a definition of antisemitism in this country and we need some parity with Islamophobia as well."

Dean then pressed him and questioned: "I would prefer for us not to have one for any of them. If we are going down this path, why do you want a path just for this Islamic situation? Not other mainstream faiths?"

Salek shot back: "That's one example I gave - let's not twist what I'm saying here."