The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) on Wednesday strongly criticized Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch for comments made during Prime Minister’s Questions, accusing her of cynically conflating the APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group) on British Muslims’ definition of Islamophobia with investigations into serious crimes.

The MCB described Badenoch’s remarks as both divisive and inaccurate, urging her to retract the statements. Badenoch had implied that the APPG’s definition of Islamophobia obstructs investigations into serious crimes.

The MCB dismissed this claim as "entirely false," stressing that the definition clearly differentiates between valid criminal investigations and racist stereotypes targeting the Muslim community. 

The APPG’s definition of Islamophobia characterizes it as "rooted in racism, and a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness."

The MCB emphasized that the definition specifically addresses and debunks the harmful stereotype that unfairly associates Muslims with crimes such as grooming. 

Citing research from the Home Office’s 2020 findings and the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse’s 2022/23 data, the MCB highlighted that group-based child sexual exploitation offenders are predominantly white, refuting Badenoch’s assertions.

In a statement, MCB Secretary-General Zara Mohammed stated: "Let me be clear – British Muslims fully support the thorough investigation and prosecution of all child abusers, regardless of their background. We are willing to support another investigation if its proponents can explain why previous inquiries costing millions have failed to provide the answers they seek."

She criticized attempts to exploit child protection issues as a way to vilify British Muslims, accusing Badenoch of fostering division. 

"Those who weaponize this issue against Muslims have already received answers they didn't want from past inquiries, yet they continue to push a divisive agenda instead of focusing on protecting children through evidence-based methods,” Mohammed added.