Trevor Phillips’s fate should terrify us all

Trevor Phillips’ suspension from the Labour party over allegations of ‘Islamophobia’ has been roundly condemned, but it should come as little surprise. After all, Phillips has been a high-profile opponent of the very definition that is now being weaponised against him. What has happened to him should serve as a warning to others who call out the problems with ‘Islamophobia’. If someone as well known as Phillips can be targeted for speaking out, no one is safe.

Within hours of Phillips being suspended by the party whose cause he has promoted for 30 years, his colleagues, both past and present, leapt to his defence. Jodie Ginsberg, former CEO of Index on Censorship said: ‘He [Phillips] campaigns tirelessly to make the world a better place for all. Labour’s actions won’t deal with hatred towards Muslims – they’ll just deter people from speaking out on injustice.’ Labour MP Ben Bradshaw said: ‘This swift action against Trevor Phillips is in stark contrast to the complete lack of action against anti-semites I and many other Labour MPs have reported repeatedly to Jennie Formby and who remain Labour members.