Inciting violence towards councillors could constitute extremism, new Government guidance says

Using, threatening, inciting, justifying, glorifying or excusing violence towards members of local government could be considered behaviour constituting extremism under new guidance issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The guidance issued today (14 February) introduces a new definition for extremism alongside new 'engagement principles' as part of an effort to counter extremism and religious hatred while promoting "social cohesion and democratic resilience".

The document says the engagement principles are for Government departments and are aimed at ensuring they "are not inadvertently providing a platform, funding or legitimacy to individuals, groups or organisations who attempt to advance extremist ideologies".

The document partly defines extremism as the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance that aims to "undermine, overturn or replace the UK's system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights".

It added that attempts to undermine, overturn or replace liberal democracy could include: "Using, threatening, inciting, justifying, glorifying or excusing violence towards public officials including our armed forces, police forces and members of local, devolved or national legislatures, in order to dissuade them from conducting their obligations freely and fearlessly, without external interference."

The broad definition is set out in the document. It reads:

Extremism is the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that aims to:

1. negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others; or
2. undermine, overturn or replace the UK's system of liberal parliamentary democracy.... and democratic rights; or
3. intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve the results in (1) or (2).

The Department claimed that the new definition adds to the tools to tackle the threat from extremism it said has been "steadily growing”.

The definition is not statutory, has no effect on the existing criminal law and only applies to the operations of government itself, the Department said.

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said: "The pervasiveness of extremist ideologies has become increasingly clear in the aftermath of the 7 October attacks and poses a real risk to the security of our citizens and our democracy. This is the work of Extreme Right-Wing and Islamist extremists who are seeking to separate Muslims from the rest of society and create division within Muslim communities.

"They seek to radicalise individuals, deny people their full rights, suppress freedom of expression, incite hatred, and undermine our democratic institutions.

"Today's measures will ensure that government does not inadvertently provide a platform to those setting out to subvert democracy and deny other people's fundamental rights. This is the first in a series of measures to tackle extremism and protect our democracy."

In the wake of the announcement, a number of MPs have expressed concern about the guidance.

In Parliament, Conservative MP Kit Malthouse questioned the lack of an appeal process over branding particular groups as extremist, while Conservative MP Sir Robert Buckland called for more specific wording in relation to the "intentionally creating a permissive environment" line.

Responding to the Department’s announcement, Cllr Heather Kidd, safer communities spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said: "Councils have an essential role to play in building and maintaining cohesive communities, and in preventing radicalisation and tackling extremism.

“This is a task that has faced unprecedented challenges because of the conflict in the Middle East and a lack of funding for councils' counter-extremism work. Funding non-statutory cohesion and anti-extremism initiatives remains highly challenging for councils. Ongoing budgetary pressures and uncertainties about how national policy on extremist threats will change has impacted on what councils can achieve. 

"Investing in a long-term approach, which includes a multi-agency support offer for those at risk of radicalisation, is vital in addressing some of the wider issues that may contribute to individuals becoming radicalised and create tensions in our communities.”

Adam Carey