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General election 2019: Muslim Council criticises Tories over Islamophobia General election 2019: Muslim Council criticises Tories over Islamophobia
(about 3 hours later)
The Muslim Council of Britain has accused the Conservative Party of "denial, dismissal and deceit" over the issue of Islamophobia.The Muslim Council of Britain has accused the Conservative Party of "denial, dismissal and deceit" over the issue of Islamophobia.
The MCB said the party had a "blind spot for this type of racism" and had failed to take steps to tackle it.The MCB said the party had a "blind spot for this type of racism" and had failed to take steps to tackle it.
The group was responding to criticism of Labour's handling of anti-Semitism by the chief rabbi.The group was responding to criticism of Labour's handling of anti-Semitism by the chief rabbi.
Tory MP James Brokenshire said his party had robust procedures against anti-Muslim hatred. Chancellor Sajid Javid said the Conservatives "have taken hatred of any type very seriously".
In the Times, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said Labour had not done enough to tackle anti-Semitism and urged people to "vote with their conscience" in the general election.In the Times, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said Labour had not done enough to tackle anti-Semitism and urged people to "vote with their conscience" in the general election.
He wrote that the "overwhelming majority of British Jews are gripped by anxiety" at the prospect of a Labour victory in the 12 December poll.He wrote that the "overwhelming majority of British Jews are gripped by anxiety" at the prospect of a Labour victory in the 12 December poll.
In response, the MCB said British Muslims would "listen to the chief rabbi and agree on the importance of voting with their conscience".In response, the MCB said British Muslims would "listen to the chief rabbi and agree on the importance of voting with their conscience".
A spokesperson added that the "unacceptable presence of anti-Semitism in Britain" was a source of "real fear" for British Jews.A spokesperson added that the "unacceptable presence of anti-Semitism in Britain" was a source of "real fear" for British Jews.
They added the chief rabbi's comments "highlighted the importance of speaking out on the racism we face, whilst maintaining our non-partisan stance".They added the chief rabbi's comments "highlighted the importance of speaking out on the racism we face, whilst maintaining our non-partisan stance".
"It is abundantly clear to many Muslims that the Conservative Party tolerate Islamophobia, allow it to fester in society"."It is abundantly clear to many Muslims that the Conservative Party tolerate Islamophobia, allow it to fester in society".
Watchdog probeWatchdog probe
The MCB is an umbrella organisation of various UK Muslim bodies, including mosques, schools, and charitable associations.The MCB is an umbrella organisation of various UK Muslim bodies, including mosques, schools, and charitable associations.
It has previously called for allegations of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party to be investigated by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.It has previously called for allegations of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party to be investigated by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.
The UK's human rights watchdog is currently investigating allegations of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.The UK's human rights watchdog is currently investigating allegations of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.
The Conservatives have pledged to start an investigation into Islamophobia and other forms of prejudice within the party before the end of the year.The Conservatives have pledged to start an investigation into Islamophobia and other forms of prejudice within the party before the end of the year.
Speaking on BBC Politics Live, Mr Brokenshire - a former communities secretary and Tory parliamentary candidate - said his party took Islamophobia claims "incredibly seriously". Mr Javid told the BBC: "What we have done is changed laws, we've increased penalties, we've encouraged reporting.
"We want to ensure that the Conservative Party has robust procedures. We think that we do," he said. "That's important to make sure that the whole country, the police and all institutions, are working really hard to root out hatred," he said.
"But we want to check that, we want to determine that, which is why we are committed to this independent review by the end of this year." He added: "As a Conservative Party, we will never stand for any kind of hatred for any person for any reason and we have to be taking action, significant action."
"But I want to make sure that as a party we that we are doing everything we can, and that's why we're also going to have this independent investigation."