Thread by @SayeedaWarsi

So this article based upon a leaked letter from @MHewittNPCC to @theresa_may makes an extraordinary and disturbing claim that a definition seeking to protect British Muslims will undermine Counter terrorism powers and tactics.
The following questions must be urgently addressed

1. What is the basis of such claims?
2. If @MHewittNPCC had such concerns why did he not engage w/ Parliamentarians involved in the report some of whom are Privy Councillors
3. Who leaked this letter? The issues involve National Security and I have today written to @marksedwill

It is clear from the article that neither the journalist nor @MHewittNPCC have read the report which makes clear that the definition DOES NOT seek to protect/stop criticism of Islam -to suggest it would is disingenuous & divisive and not befitting of a senior police officer

The lack of understanding of race, racism & racialisation of a group displayed by the quotes from the Equalities Office is astonishing - i am happy to pass details of the over 80 academics who are experts in this field who have endorsed the report to provide EO w/ urgent advice

The inability of senior police officers to understand how Islamophobia - the plethora of everyday microaggressions impacting British Muslims is NOT THE SAME as Hate Crime shows a worrying lack of understanding of the communities they seek to police.

This quote is astonishing
“Anti Islamophobia campaigners believe that armed with a government approved definition they could bring complaints of discrimination to court”
Is @thetimes saying Muslims shouldn’t bring discrimination complaints to court?
Suck it up British Muslims!

“Police authorities ...would risk judicial review”
This is completely untrue & irresponsible scaremongering
The Islamophobia definition like the IHRA definition of antisemitism is a “non legally binding working definition”

As for Policy Exchange and their now two reports on @APPGBritMuslims report #IslamophobiaDefined
They have zero credibility on any initiative designed to protect British Muslims.
Much on this incl this from the University of Bath
researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/publication…

Finally a challenge to Mr Investigations Ed @TimesKennedy who wrote this 💩
Go “investigate” the links between those who leaked this letter, the people you quote, authors of the policy exchange reports-and their record on race & Muslims- it would make a great front page story😜