Sayeeda Warsi is wrong to say the Policy Exchange fringe meeting at Tory party conference was a “Muslim-bashing fest” (The Tories do not care about Islamophobia, Journal, 1 October).
I was a panellist and can confirm that not a single speaker attacked the Muslim community; though some did critique Islamist extremism. Every speaker, including two Muslim women, condemned anti-Muslim prejudice. Two of us questioned parliament’s sweeping definition of Islamophobia as a potential threat to free speech. That’s all.
Being named “Islamophobe of the Year” was joked about because it was awarded by what I regard as an Islamist group that opposes human rights and supports the tyrannical Iranian regime. Hence my sarcastic joke.
I criticised Tory anti-Muslim prejudice, urged an inquiry into it, defended Muslim communities and made concrete proposals to protect Muslims against discrimination and hate crime.
Peter Tatchell
Director, Peter Tatchell Foundation
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