Moving forward: Reponse to the Professor Singh investigation into the Conservative party

Responding to Professor Singh’s independent Investigation into Alleged Discrimination within the Conservative party, Iman Atta OBE, director of Tell MAMA said:

All political parties in this country should have a zero tolerance to anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia. Tell MAMA is well placed given the decade of work monitoring, tackling and supporting victim of anti-Muslim hatred, to assist all political parties going forward.

There is no room for complacency what so ever in tackling this form of poisonous hatred

‘No longer can some local Conservative associations suspend and re-admit people who have expressed anti-Muslim hatred. This is not going to wash anymore. There is a line about hatred, once crossed, there are repercussions’

Given the prescriptive remit of the Singh investigation, we undertook a dip test of Twitter accounts from elected Conservative party councillors, for evidence of discriminatory content or language directed at or about Muslims, to be investigated whilst highlighting our continued concerns about structural failings to address the misconduct of some councillors online, and the need for structural reforms to ensure the party has a rigid and transparent complaints apparatus.

We have long reminded politicians across all political life of their responsibility in the language they use as to not normalise harmful stereotypes and how it influences public discourse.

The Conservative party must now adapt to stringent recommendations and policies to fully investigate reports, with transparency, to reassure Muslim communities that complaints will be handled diligently and with due care. It must take forward the recommendations of the Singh investigation, to address inadequacies with clear timescales of action, and identify further steps to rebuild trust.

Accountability is not a static motion; it requires movements towards meaningful change and engagement. It must address and challenge anti-Muslim and Islamophobic attitudes in party members, acknowledge past mistakes and stop denying the scale of the issue, and create pathways forward. Confidence in the complaints system is contingent that it sufficiently deters and prevents further harm and wrongdoing, too often, the timing, nature of the sanction, and transparency around the decision-making process lacks sufficient accountability, meaning inadequacies in its structure do not address the fundamental problems.

We need more than tick-box exercises and one-off diversity training sessions, into more structured ways to address structural and interpersonal biases and discrimination. A cultural change must occur.

Tell MAMA has continued to offer training and recourses to political parties, including the Conservatives, to ensure their social media guidelines, codes of conduct, and guidance are stringent in understanding that a zero-tolerance approach means just that. And, where required, Tell MAMA offered training materials and sessions for councillors and party staff about anti-Muslim hatred, discrimination, and Islamophobia.

Regarding the conduct of councillors online, in tandem with new robust party mechanisms internally, we urge the Government to amend Section 27 (2) of the Localism Act 2011, meaning that councillors will be presumed to be acting in an official capacity which will allow local authorities to apply a code of conduct for members when claiming to act (or give the impression of such) when fulfilling their role as a member of the local authority. These recommendations were outlined in the report “Local Government Ethical Standards – A Review by the Committee on Standards in Public Life” published in 2019. Given the sheer concerning levels of online reports cited in the Singh investigation, there must be added impetus to review and implement these recommendations. Too often, the conflation and confusion between personal and professional council accounts have meant some avoided sanction for comments that have no place in politics and fail The Seven Principles of Public Life. For example, just last year, Dorset councillor Beverley Dunlop was cleared and found to be posting in a personal capacity after writing on Facebook: “”I hate to ban anything really but I’d suggest we start with mosques.” Such discriminatory remarks have no place in elected positions or politics more broadly. It was also alarming to learn that Cllr Dunlop faced death threats, which no public official should face.

Our investigation revealed examples of one councillor engaging with a known anti-Muslim and Islamophobic extremist on Twitter, long after their ban on entering the UK became public knowledge.

The report mentions how Boris Johnson’s comments resulted in “a large increase of anti-Muslim events reported to Tell MAMA” but does not comment further. For context, that 375% rise in reports from 8 incidents the previous week, to 38 in the following week. Of the 38 incidents in the first week, 22 (57.89%) were directed at visibly Muslim women who wore the face veil (niqab) or other veiling practices. Examples include Muslim women being called “letterboxes” on the street by men, or called ‘post box,’ or targeted with harmful comments from others when queuing at a doctors surgery.

Due to the report not naming our submission, we are unable to comment about the outcomes of the new social media cases we identified and have forwarded to CCHQ.

We have been consistent in our calls for an enquiry into this issue since the London Mayoral Elections of 2015, as have many others. As we await the response of the Conservative party, we also wait on how the Equalities and Human Rights Commission responds.

The Singh investigation must also respond to serious allegations that evidence of discrimination for the report was overlooked or ignored.

 

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Categories: anti-Muslim hatred, Consevative Party, discrimination, News

Moving forward: Reponse to the Professor Singh investigation into the Conservative party

Responding to Professor Singh’s independent Investigation into Alleged Discrimination within the Conservative party, Iman Atta OBE, director of Tell MAMA said:

All political parties in this country should have a zero tolerance to anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia. Tell MAMA is well placed given the decade of work monitoring, tackling and supporting victim of anti-Muslim hatred, to assist all political parties going forward.

There is no room for complacency what so ever in tackling this form of poisonous hatred

‘No longer can some local Conservative associations suspend and re-admit people who have expressed anti-Muslim hatred. This is not going to wash anymore. There is a line about hatred, once crossed, there are repercussions’

Given the prescriptive remit of the Singh investigation, we undertook a dip test of Twitter accounts from elected Conservative party councillors, for evidence of discriminatory content or language directed at or about Muslims, to be investigated whilst highlighting our continued concerns about structural failings to address the misconduct of some councillors online, and the need for structural reforms to ensure the party has a rigid and transparent complaints apparatus.

We have long reminded politicians across all political life of their responsibility in the language they use as to not normalise harmful stereotypes and how it influences public discourse.

The Conservative party must now adapt to stringent recommendations and policies to fully investigate reports, with transparency, to reassure Muslim communities that complaints will be handled diligently and with due care. It must take forward the recommendations of the Singh investigation, to address inadequacies with clear timescales of action, and identify further steps to rebuild trust.

Accountability is not a static motion; it requires movements towards meaningful change and engagement. It must address and challenge anti-Muslim and Islamophobic attitudes in party members, acknowledge past mistakes and stop denying the scale of the issue, and create pathways forward. Confidence in the complaints system is contingent that it sufficiently deters and prevents further harm and wrongdoing, too often, the timing, nature of the sanction, and transparency around the decision-making process lacks sufficient accountability, meaning inadequacies in its structure do not address the fundamental problems.

We need more than tick-box exercises and one-off diversity training sessions, into more structured ways to address structural and interpersonal biases and discrimination. A cultural change must occur.

Tell MAMA has continued to offer training and recourses to political parties, including the Conservatives, to ensure their social media guidelines, codes of conduct, and guidance are stringent in understanding that a zero-tolerance approach means just that. And, where required, Tell MAMA offered training materials and sessions for councillors and party staff about anti-Muslim hatred, discrimination, and Islamophobia.

Regarding the conduct of councillors online, in tandem with new robust party mechanisms internally, we urge the Government to amend Section 27 (2) of the Localism Act 2011, meaning that councillors will be presumed to be acting in an official capacity which will allow local authorities to apply a code of conduct for members when claiming to act (or give the impression of such) when fulfilling their role as a member of the local authority. These recommendations were outlined in the report “Local Government Ethical Standards – A Review by the Committee on Standards in Public Life” published in 2019. Given the sheer concerning levels of online reports cited in the Singh investigation, there must be added impetus to review and implement these recommendations. Too often, the conflation and confusion between personal and professional council accounts have meant some avoided sanction for comments that have no place in politics and fail The Seven Principles of Public Life. For example, just last year, Dorset councillor Beverley Dunlop was cleared and found to be posting in a personal capacity after writing on Facebook: “”I hate to ban anything really but I’d suggest we start with mosques.” Such discriminatory remarks have no place in elected positions or politics more broadly. It was also alarming to learn that Cllr Dunlop faced death threats, which no public official should face.

Our investigation revealed examples of one councillor engaging with a known anti-Muslim and Islamophobic extremist on Twitter, long after their ban on entering the UK became public knowledge.

The report mentions how Boris Johnson’s comments resulted in “a large increase of anti-Muslim events reported to Tell MAMA” but does not comment further. For context, that 375% rise in reports from 8 incidents the previous week, to 38 in the following week. Of the 38 incidents in the first week, 22 (57.89%) were directed at visibly Muslim women who wore the face veil (niqab) or other veiling practices. Examples include Muslim women being called “letterboxes” on the street by men, or called ‘post box,’ or targeted with harmful comments from others when queuing at a doctors surgery.

Due to the report not naming our submission, we are unable to comment about the outcomes of the new social media cases we identified and have forwarded to CCHQ.

We have been consistent in our calls for an enquiry into this issue since the London Mayoral Elections of 2015, as have many others. As we await the response of the Conservative party, we also wait on how the Equalities and Human Rights Commission responds.

The Singh investigation must also respond to serious allegations that evidence of discrimination for the report was overlooked or ignored.

 

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Categories: anti-Muslim hatred, Consevative Party, discrimination, News

A message of care, empathy and respect during the crisis – Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg

We stand before Shavuot, the festival of the giving of the Torah. This Torah is always understood as Torat chaim, the teaching of life. In these terrible times across Israel and Gaza, we pray for the teaching of life.

We pray for the safety of everyone, an end to the violence, a restoration of calm and coexistence across shared cities and neighbourhoods, and leadership which can bring hope for the future to both Israelis and Palestinians. Our hearts go out to everyone bereaved, wounded, and living in anxiety and fear. Our thoughts are for our family and friends, – and everyone.

The first of the Ten Commandments spoken at Sinai is ‘I am the Lord your God.’ Since the human being is created in God’s image, the echo of that commandment can be heard in every person. God calls out in the unique sanctity of each life. There is therefore no place in true faith for race hate, vigilante groups, be they Jewish, Muslim or any other, or for cruelty, injustice and humiliation.

I will never forget my short visit to Israel towards the end of the fighting in Gaza in 2014. I visited Tel Hashomer hospital and listened to wounded soldiers. A family whose son was killed showed me his Siddur, his prayer book. Handwritten on the opening pages were his hopes for a life of goodness and generosity. He’d been due to get married in just a few weeks. Terrible!

I was taken to a hospital in East Jerusalem which was receiving wounded children from Gaza. I’ll never forget this searing experience. I asked an older man sitting by the bed of a child whether this was his son. ‘No,’ he said; the parents were dead, killed together with eighteen members of the family.

There is only more hurt in all this violence, another ring of pain and anger which will someday have to be overcome. Only respect for all human life, fairness and something to hope for can bring a truly safe future.

So I turn with respect and deep admiration to some of the messages sent in these last days. Here is a letter from The Abraham Initiatives:

We are planning a national campaign entitled: “Only Together.” The campaign, in Hebrew and Arabic, will feature images of Jews and Arabs in everyday life: shopping together; studying together at university; working together in hospitals fighting Covid-19. Our campaign will feature on the main TV channels…

Here is a joint statement sent by Rabbi Ofek Meir from headteachers of Jewish and Arab schools in Haifa:

Our role as educators is to raise the younger generation to be independent, critical thinkers, with values; and to be a generation who will create knowledge, opinions, narratives and culture; and who respect the other’s opinion, and who believe in the values ​​of equality and human rights. This is true anytime, anywhere, but especially now and in Haifa in particular.

This is from Rabbi Arik Ascherman, so often attacked for his defence of basic human justice:

One of the few positive developments has been the religious and other civil leaders who have begun to stand together and call for an end to the hate and violence that has led to Israeli Jews and Arabs lynching each other. Tonight around the country average Jewish and Arab citizens stood together to say no to the violence.

Here is from Rabbi Yoav Ende of the Masorti community of Hannaton:

Tonight, activists from Hannaton will join together with others from nearby communities and Arab villages for a joint demonstration of peace and hope; spreading a message of change, a message of a better Israel that can and must be here – showing that living together without conflict, without violence, is not only imperative, it is immediately achievable.

I see in my garden Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish, three of whose daughters were killed in Gaza, standing by the apple tree I planted in their memory, taking a photograph of it to send to his other children. I often reread sections of his book I Shall Not Hate.

Dr Abuelaish, Rabbi Yoav Ende, may our prayers ascend together.

Shabbat Shalom

Jonathan Wittenberg

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Categories: Gaza, Israel, News, Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg

Far-right terror suspects in Keighley charged with multiple terrorism offences after 3D-printed gun uncovered

Four people arrested concerning far-right terrorism earlier this month have been charged with multiple terrorism offences and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today (May 14).

Three of the individuals charged, named as Daniel Wright, 29, Liam Hall, 30, and Stacey Salmon, 28, all reside in Keighley in West Yorkshire, concern allegations that “they possessed an article, namely components of a 3D-printed firearm, in circumstances which give rise to a reasonable suspicion that their possession was for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”, a press release published this morning from Counter Terrorism Policing North East.

The fourth individual, identified as Samuel Whibley, 28, of Derwen Deg, Menai Bridge, in the Isle of Anglesey, is charged with six offences of the encouragement of terrorism contrary to Section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2006, and two offences of disseminating a terrorist publication that encourages terrorism contrary to Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

On and before 1 May, 2021, Daniel Wright, Liam Hall, and Stacey Salmon, are accused of having in their possession, without authority, a firearm which either has a barrel less than 30 centimetres in length or is less than 60 centimetres in length overall (Contrary to section 5(1)(aba) Firearms Act 1968).

Counter-terror police had initially made five arrests on May 1 in Anglesey, Bradford and Swindon. An extension approval a day later allowed the continued detention and questioning of the suspects. By May 7, counter-terror police released a 16-year-old from Swindon from custody without charge. A further extension allowed the police to question suspects until May 15, before charging decisions became public knowledge.


Daniel Wright, of Whinfield Avenue, Keighley, West Yorkshire, is charged with:

One offence of disseminating a terrorist publication that encourages terrorism contrary to Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006

One offence of possessing articles connected with an act of terrorism contrary to Section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000

Three offences of possessing a document or record likely to be useful to a person committing an act of terrorism contrary to Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000

One offence of manufacturing a firearm contrary to Section 5(2A) of the Firearms Act 1968

One offence of possession of a firearm contrary to S5 (1)(aba) of the Firearms Act 1968

Liam Hall, of Hill Top Walk, Keighley, West Yorkshire, is charged with:

One offence of possessing articles connected with an act of terrorism contrary to Section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000

One offence of manufacturing a firearm contrary to Section 5(2A) of the Firearms Act 1968

One offence of possession of a firearm contrary to S5 (1)(aba) of the Firearms Act 1968

Stacey Salmon, of Hill Top Walk, Keighley, West Yorkshire, is charged with:

One offence of possessing articles connected with an act of terrorism contrary to Section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000

One offence of possession a firearm contrary to Section 5(1)(aba) of the Firearms Act 1968

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Categories: Counter-Terrorism Police, News, terrorism, Wales, West Yorkshire

Unite leadership candidate suspended by Labour over Patel tweet

A senior trade unionist has been suspended by Labour after suggesting Home Secretary Priti Patel was “disgusting” and should be deported.

Unite’s assistant general secretary Howard Beckett – who is standing for the leadership of the major union – apologised for the social media message.

Mr Beckett sits on Labour’s ruling national executive committee but the PA news agency understands he has now been suspended by the party.

Mr Beckett made the remarks following protests in Glasgow over the detention of two men by Border Force officials.

Police Scotland released the Indian nationals after people surrounded the immigration enforcement van and prevented it from leaving on Thursday.

Mr Beckett originally said: “Priti Patel should be deported, not refugees. She can go along with anyone else who supports institutional racism.

“She is disgusting.”

He subsequently deleted the message.

He later said: “Priti Patel message on Eid al Fitr is to deport Muslim refugees. Those who have been forced to flee war zones.

“We are seeing appalling institutional racism again and again from the supposed pillars of the British elite.

“Our society should have no place for racism, at all.

“I’m very sorry for my earlier tweet. I was angry to see Muslim Refugees being deported on the morning of Eid al Fitr.”

He said his earlier message was “never intended to be literal” and “the wording was wrong” and “offensive”.

“I apologise unreservedly to Priti Patel. No one should be deported.”

It is understood neither of the men involved in the situation in Glasgow is Muslim.

Labour MP Chris Bryant said: “This is vile. This should play no part in Labour – or in British politics.”

A Labour spokesman said the party “takes these allegations extremely seriously” and promised appropriate action.

Tory MP Steve Baker said it was “an extraordinary, absolutely intolerable remark” which must have a “robust response” from Labour.

Credit: PA News

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Categories: Eid-Ul-Fitr, Howard Beckett, News, Priti Patel, Unite Leadership

Family surprised by presents from non-Muslim neighbour to celebrate Eid

A woman has said a gift from her neighbour to celebrate Eid has restored her “faith in humanity”.

Shafaq Hassan, from Streatham, south London, said her neighbour treated her and son Ayaan, 14, to dates and a prayer mat in celebration of Eid, which this year began on Wednesday evening and will end on Thursday evening.

Posting a photo of the gifts to Twitter, Ms Hassan said: “Our non-Muslim neighbour (our biryani pal!) totally surprised us with Algerian dates and a prayer mat for my 14-year-old, who fasted the whole month.”

Ms Hassan, 40, told the PA news agency: “He’s been our neighbour for over 20 years, but completely surprised us with the Eid gifts.

“I didn’t realise he noted Ayaan was fasting the whole month… we were all surprised at his gesture and my son felt really special.

“They’re friendly neighbours, they’re fans of my mum’s biryani so we always send over a box.”

Ms Hassan said the family is celebrating with a meal and a special Eid cake, as they are unable to have a big party due to Covid-19 restrictions.

She told PA: “The whole family fasted but missed a few days, Ayaan fasted the whole month… he was determined to fast the whole month which is quite impressive, if I may say so myself.

“Due to Covid we can’t have big family party, obviously, we’re having a special meal with family to celebrate my son’s achievement.”

Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al-Fitr in a subdued mood for a second year as Covid-19 forced mosque closures and family separations on the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan shared a photo of Trafalgar Square lit in purple lights to celebrate the occasion.

Ms Hassan told PA: “It’s hard we are not able to meet extended family or go to the mosque to pray. It’s isolating not being able to attend the mosque but we’re blessed we’re together as a family.

“Our neighbour’s gesture helps put faith in humanity. We’re a diverse community and its heart-warming that our neighbour was so thoughtful and encouraging of Ayaan and his religious beliefs.

“Eid is about sharing, being charitable and is a blessing.”

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Categories: COVID, Eid, Muslim, Neighbours, News, Non-Muslim neighbour

Hindus and Muslim men at greater risk of dying with Covid in pandemic

Hindus and Muslim men have had a disproportionately high risk of dying with coronavirus throughout the pandemic compared with Christians, figures suggest.

After adjusting for age, location, socio-demographic factors and certain pre-existing health conditions, Hindus and Muslim men were still more likely to die with Covid-19, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

The ONS looked at mortality rates among religious groups between January 2020 and February 2021 and compared differences between both waves of the pandemic, adjusting these for age and other factors.

It defined the second wave as deaths occurring from September 12 2020 onwards, but noted that this analysis is provisional as it only covers up to February 28 2021.

It found that Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Jewish people all had an increased Covid-19 mortality rate compared with Christians across the whole period when adjusting for age.

People who identified as having no religion were 20% less likely to die than the Christian group.

When taking into account location, measures of disadvantage, occupation and living arrangements, and pre-pandemic health status, rates for Jewish and Sikh women were similar to those for Christian women.

But rates for Muslims, Hindus, and Jewish and Sikh men remained significantly higher.

Muslim men were 70% more likely to die with Covid-19 than Christian men, the ONS analysis found.

Muslim women had a 30% greater risk of dying with coronavirus, while for Hindu men it was 30% and for Hindu women it was 20%.

Jewish men had a 20% greater risk and Sikh men a 10% greater risk.

For Jewish and Buddhist men, the excess risk was only observed in the first wave.

Excess risk for Sikhs and Muslim women was only observed in the second wave.

The ONS said the factors it adjusted for account for a large proportion, but not all, of the additional risk.

The residual unexplained risk may be due to factors it did not consider, such as some pre-existing health conditions.

For some religious groups there is considerable overlap with ethnic background, meaning it is difficult to separate any association between risk and religion from risk and ethnicity.

Credit: PA News

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Categories: Christians, COVID, Hindu, Men, Muslim, News, Pandemic

Statement: Compulsory voter ID in future elections

Evidence shows that voting across the UK is safe and secure as plans to introduce ID risks disenfranchising marginalised communities.

In a wide-ranging report published last year, the Joint Committee on Human Rights spoke of their “serious concern” that 25 per cent of Black voters in Britain are not registered to vote, relative to the 17 per cent average across the population. In evidence for the report, Lord Woolley described how hundreds of thousands of young Black and minority ethnic people still see our institutions, particularly the police, as against us and not for us,” who speak of a “rigged system” that do not see politics working for them.

There are significant disparities amongst ethnic groups when it comes to possessing a driver’s licence – as governmental data shows – 38 per cent of Asian people, 48 per cent of Black people, 41 per cent of mixed-race people, and 39 per cent of those categorised as ‘Other’ do not hold a full driving licence, compared to 76 per cent of white people. Women are also far less likely than men to have a driving licence.

Data from the 2011 Census revealed that Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities are far less likely (66 per cent) to hold eligible passports, which evidence from grassroots groups like The Traveller Movement that community turnout is disproportionately low, owing to ongoing anti-GRT discrimination.

The Electoral Commission has previously warned that limiting accepting forms of ID to passports and photographic driving licences risks leaving almost one-quarter of the electorate without acceptable photographic ID to vote.

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission warned that voter ID trials in 2018 would have a “disproportionate impact on voters with protected characteristics, particularly older people, transgender people, people with disabilities and/or those from ethnic minority communities.”

For older generations, the Mirror newspaper revealed how one-third of those aged 70 and over do not possess a drivers licence (including 55 per cent of women), as just over one third (35 per cent) of the age group not owning a passport.

In consultation with the Electoral Commission, charities representing people with disabilities, GRT, LGBT+ groups, and those from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups, and those with no fixed address had general concerns about the broader ramifications of such an introduction. Barriers include difficulties in access services requiring proof of identity – including ease of access to the internet. In addition, individuals without a fixed address are less likely to possess non-photo forms of identification, like utility bills. A trans or non-binary person’s ID may not reflect their gender expression or identity (and as Stonewall notes, they face challenge from staff if the name on their ID differs from that of their Deed Poll).

For people with learning disabilities, it raised questions about the availability of accessible information to ensure they are informed about ID requirements and could access ID. Finally, the consultation feedback added that the  “cost, inconvenience and time required to obtain ID may be prohibitive for some people.”

A pilot scheme in Derby, for example, found a strong correlation between the proportion of each ward’s population from Asian backgrounds with those not issued with ballot papers. In contrast, in Pendle, another pilot area, it found a weak correlation between each ward’s population and those from Asian backgrounds arriving at a polling station either with no form of ID or the wrong ID.

The Electoral Commission noted that a 2018 pilot in Watford indicated “a strong relationship between the proportion of Asian residents and the number not issued with a ballot paper.” It did not, however, see such correlations in Woking and Watford a year later, cautioning against drawing broader conclusions from the data available.

Awareness was a big issue in the 2019 pilots, as white respondents (46 per cent) were far more likely to know about the need to bring ID to vote than those from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups (27 per cent).

Age proved a factor. Those aged over 55 were also far more likely to have heard something about the scheme (54 per cent) than those aged 18 to 34 (31 per cent).

Awareness about the need for ID in the 2019 pilots proved lower amongst first-time voters (73 per cent) compared to those who had voted before (87 per cent).

When asked about how easy it would be to show ID, those from Black, Asian, and minority backgrounds were (87 per cent) less likely than white electors (92 per cent).

Black, Asian, and minority ethnic households across the UK are more than twice likely to live in poverty compared to white counterparts, experiencing disproportionate job losses and pay cuts during the Covid-19 pandemic, demonstrating how the pandemic is exacerbating pre-existing inequalities and discrimination, which can make the fees for driving licences and passports harder to gain.

Regarding electoral fraud, there were just four convictions and two cautions in 2019, as almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of outcomes saw no further action. Just over one-third had a local resolution, as more than half of reported cases that year concerned campaigning offences.

In 2017, Almost half (165 cases) of all cases of alleged electoral fraud reported were a campaigns issue, a major of which concerned imprint offences (96 cases). Eight cautions and one conviction occurred that year.

In 2018, the police investigated 266 cases, resulting in four convictions, and two suspects faced police cautions.

Alternative plans, including automatic voter registration, which the Electoral Commission explored in 2017, should be looked at, reducing registration gaps and increasing democratic participation from marginalised and under-represented communities. The lessons of Windrush show the stark and unjust treatment faced, including access to public services due to a lack of formal ID.

Instead, we must protect fundamental rights when voting and cultivate an understanding of how best to meaningfully improve voter participation amongst marginalised groups, which should work in tandem with reducing existing structural barriers and inequalities in voting, including exploring the use of alternative schemes – like automatic voter registration.

 

 

 

 

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Categories: democracy, News, Parliament, statement, voting

Dozens hurt as Palestinians and Israeli police clash at Al-Aqsa Mosque

Palestinian worshippers clashed with Israeli police on Friday evening at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City as tensions soared again.

The Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service said 53 people, mainly Palestinians, were wounded in clashes with police there and elsewhere in Jerusalem, including 23 who were taken to hospital.

It says most were wounded in the face and eyes by rubber-coated bullets and shrapnel from stun grenades.

The clashes were the latest in a deadly day that saw Israeli forces shoot and kill two Palestinians after three men opened fire on an Israeli base in the occupied West Bank.

They erupted when Israeli police deployed heavily as Muslims were performing evening prayers at Al-Aqsa during the holy month of Ramadan.

Video footage from the scene shows worshippers throwing chairs, shoes and rocks toward the police and officers responding by opening fire.

Israeli police also closed gates leading to Al-Aqsa inside the walled Old City.

Dozens of Palestinians in an east Jerusalem neighbourhood are at risk of being evicted following a long legal battle with Israeli settlers, and Palestinian protesters have clashed with Israeli police in the city on a nightly basis since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The unrest has drawn attention from across the region, with neighbouring Jordan warning Israel against further “provocative” steps, and Iran seizing on the sensitivities around Jerusalem and encouraging the violence.

In the attack on Friday morning, Israeli police said three attackers fired on the base near the northern West Bank town of Jenin.

The Border Police and an Israeli soldier returned fire, killing two of the men and wounding the third, who was evacuated to a hospital.

Some 70,000 worshippers attended the final Friday prayers of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa, the Islamic endowment that oversees the site said.

Thousands protested afterwards, waving the green flags of the Islamic militant group Hamas and chanting pro-Hamas slogans before dispersing peacefully.

Israelis and Palestinians are bracing for more violence in the coming days.

Credit: PA News

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Categories: Al Aqsa, Israelis, News, Palestinians, Ramadan, Settlers, Silwan

Fishmongers’ Hall attacker had ‘hate in eyes’ and ‘evil intent’, inquest told

Convicted terrorist Usman Khan exposed “hate in his eyes” and “evil intent” before he launched an attack on Fishmongers’ Hall, an inquest has heard.

On November 29 2019, Khan, from Stafford, was shot dead after fatally stabbing Cambridge graduates Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, at a prisoners’ educational event in London.

Six months before, his volatile anger surfaced during an incident witnessed by a mentor, an inquest was told on Friday.

Giving evidence, the mentor told how Khan had become angry about licence conditions, having been released from jail in December 2018.

On March 4 2019, the mentor wrote: “He was quite angry about the licence conditions but he suddenly realised that he got angry and calmed down and stated today was a good session so as not to show his anger to me.”

In a later witness statement, the mentor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, wrote: “He had hate in his eyes and real evil intent that I saw emerge straight away.”

Recalling the incident, the mentor told jurors: “He was very calm, very relaxed, but when he got this negative response his whole demeanour changed and it was actually quite frightening when I saw it at that particular point.

“He was really angry and I could see his face get really tight and his eyes really intent-looking and he realised I had seen him and he quickly tried to downplay it, saying it’s OK, these things happen.”

Challenged on the difference between the initial account and his later statement, the witness denied he had “toned it down” to begin with.

Previously, the mentor said they had got on “well” and Khan was grateful for the support.

In twice weekly meetings, the mentor accompanied him to the job centre and supervised his use of the internet at the library.

The inquest heard Khan told him he was “looking at pursuing an academic career in combating extremism”.

Khan spoke of having “some sort of transformation” since he began writing which “opened his eyes”, jurors heard.

He also claimed to have challenged people more extreme than him in prison, the inquest heard.

On his connection with Learning Together which organised the Fishmongers’ Hall event, Khan told the mentor he felt “empowered by it”.

The witness said: “He said he really enjoyed being part of it. He enjoyed the writing and he was looking to pursuing something a bit more long term.”

A second mentor, who took over Khan’s case in March 2019, went on to describe him as a “manipulative” man who attempted to play an “alpha role”.

He told jurors Khan would “brag” about lifting 200 kilos at the gym when he was not actually able to lift more than 20 or 30 kilos.

When it came to martial arts, the mentor had more experience than Khan too, jurors heard.

In one of his reports, the second mentor described how Khan had said there was “nothing better and stronger than kalashnikovs (assault rifles) and diesel cars as they are the most reliable”.

Jonathan Hough QC, counsel to the coroner, said: “It seems there were a number of occasions where he reacted with sudden rudeness and aggression to fairly anodyne comments you made. Was that a theme?”

The second mentor, who cannot be identified, replied: “With him it was always a bumpy ride, it would never be stable. With him it was always an ongoing battle and trying to improve.”

Earlier, a prison psychologist told how she was “very worried” about Khan before he was released.

Ieva Cechaviciute interviewed Khan for six-and-a half hours in January 2018 at HMP Whitemoor for an Extremism Risk Guidelines (ERG) report.

On his manner during the interviews, she said: “It appeared that it was underlying anger and bitterness in his approach towards me but I think he was trying to be very polite in the interview.”

Her interviews led to the conclusion that Khan had made “little progress” in prison and did not understand his risk, the inquest heard.

Being in jail had even made him a “greater risk” and “elevated his profile”, jurors heard.

The witness also noted intelligence that Khan had radicalised others and was involved with extremist gangs.

She said it was “very difficult to see whether he made any genuine progress”.

The witness told jurors she had assessed that Khan’s risk of engaging in “extremist activity” would increase upon his release.

Mr Hough asked: “To what extent did these conclusions reflect a real cause for worry about somebody who is going to be released in eight months’ time?”

She replied: “That was very worrying to me and I really was very worried how to communicate this to whoever was reading my report, so therefore I went into a lot of detail explaining the pattern of his behaviour and trying to communicate that his risk is likely to increase when he is released.”

When confronted with incidents of violence or anything portraying him in a “negative light”, Khan responded by “rationalising it, minimising it or denying it”, she said.

While Khan might have wanted to change, he was “not being very successful at it”, she added.

When she reviewed her report with Khan, he was “very upset, very angry” and “did not see the report as valid at all”, Ms Cechaviciute said.

The witness had flagged potential warning signs to look for following his release, including lack of purpose, boredom and unemployment.

The court has previously heard that Khan’s attempts to find a job were unsuccessful and he spent time alone at home playing on his Xbox.

The inquest at the Guildhall into the victims’ deaths continues.

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Categories: Extremism Risk Guidelines Report, Jack Merritt, News, Saskia Jones, Usman Khan