Key facts
- The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has accused Security Minister Dan Jarvis of repeating an "unsubstantiated allegation" to justify the government's refusal to engage with the organization.
- The MCB has requested a clear explanation of the government's non-engagement policy and the specific "fundamental values" it claims the organization has contradicted.
- Freedom of Information requests have reportedly found no written records of an official non-engagement policy.
- The MCB highlighted that Prime Minister Andy Burnham previously engaged with the organization and has a record of engaging with communities.
- The organization noted that other political figures, including the Leader of the Opposition and current ministers, have engaged with the MCB over the years.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has publicly challenged the government's justification for its refusal to engage with the organization, accusing Security Minister Dan Jarvis of repeating an "unsubstantiated allegation." The MCB stated that Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has a history of engaging with the group, previously met with them and expressed hope that this engagement would continue.
Jarvis had cited "fundamental values" as the reason for the government's non-engagement, a position previously articulated by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. In response, the MCB sent a letter to Jarvis demanding specifics on which values the organization has allegedly contradicted. The MCB highlighted that other prominent political figures, including the Leader of the Opposition and several current ministers, have engaged with them over the years.
Further complicating the government's stance, recent Freedom of Information requests reportedly found no official written records detailing a "non-engagement policy" with the MCB. A spokesperson for the Office for Equality and Opportunity confirmed no change to the policy but did not provide further justification. The MCB's assistant secretary general described the policy as a "relic of the past" based on a "smear" that was resolved in 2010, leading to the restoration of engagement.
Historically, the MCB faced a brief boycott in 2009 under Gordon Brown's government due to the Istanbul Declaration, but engagement resumed after the deputy secretary general resigned and the organization denounced the statement. Engagement continued with coalition ministers until March 2020, when civil servants reportedly ceased contact following the MCB's dossier on Islamophobia. The MCB argues that British Muslims deserve a clear explanation for the continued refusal of engagement.