Michael Gove announces new extremism definition after rise in hate crimes

14 March 2024 , 00:01

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Michael Gove has issued a long-awaited new definition of extremism (Image: James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock)

Extremists who try to undermine democracy will be blacklisted by public bodies, ministers have announced today.

Tory frontbencher Michael Gove has issued new rules demanding they don't give platforms to far right and Islamist groups. Experts say it is "intolerable" that those spreading "hateful anti-British" ideas can be permitted to "poison community life".

Under the new definitions, extremists will be classed as those who destroy the freedom of others, try to replace parliamentary democracy and intentionally create a 'permissive' environment for others to do this. The announcement follows an alarming rise in hate crimes since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Brendan Cox, whose Labour MP wife Jo was murdered by a far-right extremist in 2016, said he welcomed the Government rolling back from a "scorched earth" definition. Groups who are classified as extremists will effectively be cut off from public funding and engagement.

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Mr Cox said: "The message from the debacle of the last two weeks is that if we are to defeat extremism we have to do it together." The announcement has sparked fears of a clampdown on freedom of speech, which the Government denies.

Mr Gove, who is Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said: “The United Kingdom is a success story – a multi-national, multi-ethnic, multi-faith democracy. It is stronger because of its diversity.

“But our democracy and our values of inclusivity and tolerance are under challenge from extremists." He hit out at Islamist extremists who "are seeking to separate Muslims from the rest of society and create division within Muslim communities", as well as extreme right-wing groups.

He said: "This is the first in a series of measures to tackle extremism and protect our democracy.” Professor Ian Acheson, senior advisor at the Counter Extremism Project said: "Hateful anti-British ideas that undermine our democracy creating intimidation and fear need ideologues to drive them.

"It is intolerable that the state underwrites people and organisations poisoning community life in one of the most successful multi-ethnic countries in the world.”

Dave Burke