‘Extremists are tearing society apart’, Gove says as he names groups who could ‘fall foul’ of new extremism definition

A NEW definition of extremism will see Whitehall banned from engaging with radical Islamists and far-right thugs.

Top Tory Michael Gove today unveiled the wording designed to outlaw those who seek to “undermine, overturn or replace” the British democratic system and our values.

But Mr Gove was criticised by some Tories who insisted the definition “lands in no man’s land” of not being strong enough to tackle real extremists or to protect controversial views.

Former minister Robert Jenrick said:  “I fear that the definition, though well-intentioned, lands in no man’s land: Not going far enough to tackle the real extremists, not doing enough to protect the non-extremists, those people who are simply expressing contrarian views who might find this definition used against them, not perhaps now, but possibly in the future.”

Former cabinet minister Mr Malthouse said he was concerned by the lack of an appeal process.

He told the Commons: “I share, along with many other Members, some alarm at the emergence of this new definition.”

“Is there really to be no appeal process in this branding of particular groups as unacceptable?”

The Communities Secretary name-checked the Muslim Association of Britain, Cage, MEND, the British National Socialist Movement and Patriotic Alternative as potentially falling foul of the definition.

He also reassured eco protestors, trans activists and gender critical campaigners that their free speech will be protected.

And the definition also won’t capture “racist” millionaire Tory donor Frank Hester who sparked outrage for saying Britain’s longest serving black MP Diane Abbott makes him “want to hate all black women” and should be “shot”.

Mr Gove said: “Our plans, drawn up in close collaboration with the Home Office, will enable the Government to express more clearly than ever before which groups fall within the extremism definition and we can point to the evidence and explain the funding and engagement consequences.

“They will also support national efforts to counter the work of extremists who promote their ideologies both online and offline.

“The new definition will strengthen vital frontline counter radicalisation work, and the new centre of excellence will also help us to understand the role played by state actors and state-linked organisations in extremist activity which is taking place in our country.”

Groups that promote an ideology “based on violence, hatred or intolerance” with an aim to “destroy the fundamental rights of others” will be strictly barred from engaging with ministers and government departments.

And individuals linked to groups falling foul of the definition will be banned from receiving honours and public appointments.

But the definition isn’t legally binding and quangos, universities, prosecutors and cops will not have to sign up to the clampdown – for now.

Ministers have also established a new Whitehall counter-extremism centre of excellence.

The unit, led by experts in the field, will be tasked with ensuring the definition is maintained and applied correctly across government departments.

It follows a spike in anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim hate incidents since October 7 attacks.

Since the deadly day the Community Security Trust has recorded 4,103 antisemitic incidents in the UK in 2023, an increase of 147% compared to 2022.

And Tell MAMA – which supports victims of Islamophobia – has recorded a 335% increase in anti-Muslim hate cases in the last four months.

New polling by think tank More in Common found that 69 per cent and 62 per cent of the public are concerned about Islamist and far-right extremism respectively.

Among Brits 15 per cent say the UK is unsafe for them, while a quarter think it is unsafe for Muslims and 39 per cent think it is unsafe for Jews.

The public is also against intimidation as a form of protest and backs cops taking tougher measures on some demonstrators.

Brendan Cox, co-founder of community cohesion group, the Together Coalition, added: “Extremism deserves to be treated seriously and soberly not used tactically to seek party political advantage.

“What comes next will be critical – in particular ensuring independent oversight of the new ‘counter -extremism centre of excellence’.

“This centre must be evidence based and not ideological.”