Thread by @AdamBienkov

At a Conservative Party conference fringe titled “Challenging ‘Islamophobia’” #cpc19

The panelists here either don’t agree with the APPG definition of Islamophobia or don’t agree with the term being used at all.

This #CPC19 fringe title “challenging ‘Islamophobia’” refers to why people should challenge the concept and definition of the word Islamophobia, rather than actually challenging its occurrence.

Trevor Philips: “I’m the only one here who has been nominated as Islamophobe of the Year.”

Peter Tatchell: “I’m jealous.” #CPC19

Trevor Philips now reading out a letter which includes a defence of Boris Johnson calling Muslim women who wear the burqa “letterboxes.”

Conservative MP Nusrat Ghani says her party has “zero tolerance” towards prejudice against Muslims, then swiftly moves on to talking about anti-semitism in the Labour Party. #CPC19

Dr Qanta Ahmed defends Boris Johnson’s “satirical comparison,” between Muslim women wearing the burqa and letterboxes and bank robbers, but says she is disappointed that he doesn’t want to ban the burqa. She then also moves quickly to talking about antisemitism in Labour #CPC19

Muslim Conservative Party member in the audience says he’s unsure from the discussion whether the panel is here to challenge Islamophobia or promote it. #CPC19

Phillips moves away from the Muslim audience member. Now onto safer ground with Sonia from Kensington who asks a question about the “progressive left” and “extreme religion.” #CPC2019

Phillips tells the panel “I suggest you don’t respond to all of those... the question about the left would be a good one.” #CPC2019

One exasperated Conservative delegate here says to me: “this is meant to be a discussion about Islamophobia in the Conservative party and we’re spending this whole event talking about the left.” #cpc2019

Full story: Former Conservative Chair Baroness Warsi says she is 'truly ashamed' of her party following conference debate on Islamophobia businessinsider.com/baroness-warsi…