Labour MP urges Keir Starmer to ban 'desecration' of religious texts

Senior Conservatives today warned against 'blasphemy laws' after a Labour MP called for a ban on the 'desecration' of religious texts and prophets of Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

Tahir Ali, MP for Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley, urged action as he cautioned acts of 'mindless desecration' risk fuelling 'division and hatred' within society.

He used Prime Minister's Questions to ask Sir Keir Starmer if he would bring in measures 'to prohibit the desecration of all religious texts and the prophets of the Abrahamic religions'.

The PM replied that 'desecration is awful' and 'should be condemned' by all MPs.

Following the exchanges in the House of Commons, Mr Ali was accused by top Tories of promoting the re-introduction of 'blasphemy laws'. 

Offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel were abolished in England and Wales in 2008, and in Scotland in 2021.

During PMQs this afternoon, Mr Ali told Sir Keir: 'November marks Islamophobia awareness month.

'Last year, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution condemning the desecration of religious texts, including the Koran, despite opposition from the previous government.

'Acts of such mindless desecration only serve to fuel division and hatred within our society.

'Will the PM commit to introducing measures to prohibit the desecration of all religious texts and the prophets of the Abrahamic religions?'

Sir Keir replied in the Commons: 'Can I agree with him that desecration is awful and I think should be condemned across the House.

'We are, as I said before, committed to tackling all forms of hatred and division, including Islamophobia, in all of its forms.'

Downing Street sources later said they are not considering such legislation. 

It comes after the UN Human Rights Council’s decision last year to ‘address, prevent and prosecute acts and advocacy of religious hatred’ after individuals sought to burn texts including the Qur’an, the Bible and the Torah. 

Tory shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick commented on the exchange between Mr Ali and Sir Keir on social media.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote: 'A Labour MP calls for a law to ban criticism of prophets.

'Starmer does not rule it out. The answer was simple: Blasphemy laws have no place in the UK.'

Speaking at a press conference later this afternoon, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'I am against blasphemy laws.'

Conservative MP Nick Timothy added: ‘What this MP says is blasphemous. Which rather demonstrates the absurdity of proposing blasphemy laws in a modern society.

‘It’s a pity the Prime Minister did not say so.’

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said she was ‘against blasphemy laws’ in a press conference yesterday.

Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe warned: ‘We do not, and must not, have blasphemy laws - regardless of which religion feels offended.’

Mr Ali’s question also drew free speech-related concerns from campaigners. 

A spokesman for the National Secular Society said: ‘It is deeply alarming that an MP is calling for the introduction of new blasphemy laws. Concerningly, the Prime Minister offers no defence of free expression.’

Mr Ali pointed out that taking a stand against anti-Muslim hatred was crucial during Islamophobia Awareness Month, which is marked every October.

In the year following the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the charity Tell Mama UK said it has recorded 4,971 incidents of anti-Muslim hate, the highest annual total in 14 years.

Former Tory Minister David Davis, a champion of civil liberties, said: 'For centuries, one of the most important features of Britain’s freedom of speech is the absolute right to criticise religion. Freedom of speech is fundamental to everything we have and everything we stand for. I regret Keir Starmer did not make that clear to Mr Ali at PMQs.’

This is not the first time Labour have been warned over the issue.

In August it emerged that Ministers were weighing up adopting an official definition of Islamophobia instead of using the term ‘anti-Muslim hatred’ favoured by previous governments.

Senior Tories warned the Prime Minister against such a move, suggesting it could impinge on legitimate criticism of religion.

MP Bob Blackman said at the time: ‘I’m very much in favour of saying we have to outlaw anti-Muslim hatred.

‘There is the problem of not wanting to get to a point whereby there’s a so-called blasphemy law.

‘We’ve always said there should be a definition of anti-Muslim hatred. Legitimate criticism of a religion should not be considered to be outside of the law.’