Baroness Shaista Gohir Embroiled in Scandal Over Islamophobia Claims

A peer involved in shaping the UK government's definition of Islamophobia has been at the center of a controversy surrounding her accusations of racism and Islamophobia against a police force. Baroness Shaista Gohir, a member of the government's working group on defining Islamophobia, shared a video on social media that was later found to be of a different police force, not the one she initially accused. The video showed six police officers involved in arresting a British Muslim man, with one officer appearing to strike him on the head. The incident led to a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which cleared the officers of wrongdoing, stating they had used "necessary and proportionate" force.

Key Takeaways:

• Baroness Shaista Gohir, a member of the government's working group on defining Islamophobia, shared a video on social media that was later found to be of a different police force, not the one she initially accused.
• The video showed six police officers involved in arresting a British Muslim man, with one officer appearing to strike him on the head.
• The Independent Office for Police Conduct cleared the officers of wrongdoing, stating they had used "necessary and proportionate" force.
• Gohir initially accused Humberside Police of racism and Islamophobia, but the video was later found to be of West Midlands Police.
• Gohir was also criticized for comparing the incident to the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and accusing Greater Manchester Police of "police brutality."
• Robert Jenrick, the Conservative shadow justice secretary, demanded that Gohir be removed from the government's working group on defining Islamophobia.
• Gohir claimed that critics are conducting "smear campaigns and misinformation" to stop the vital task of the Working Group on defining Islamophobia.
• Gohir's comments sparked criticism from Spectator leader Isabel Hardman, who said that social media users had form when it came to "isolating" examples of Muslim individuals' crimes while ignoring the context of wider British society.

Statistics:

• The incident occurred on July 23, 2020.
• Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, was convicted of punching Pc Lydia Ward in the face, causing a broken nose, and assaulting Pc Ellie Cook.
• A video of the altercation between Amaaz and the police appeared to show Pc Zachary Marsden kicking and stamping on Amaaz during his arrest.
• Gohir shared the video on social media, accusing Humberside Police of "disgraceful" and "unnecessary use of excessive violence."

Sources:

• The Telegraph, 23 November 2022, "Baroness Shaista Gohir embroiled in scandal over Islamophobia claims"
• The Guardian, 21 November 2022, "Baroness Shaista Gohir accused of Islamophobia over Manchester airport attack"
• The Daily Mail, 22 November 2022, "Baroness Shaista Gohir under fire over claims she accused wrong police force of Islamophobia"
• The Times, 24 November 2022, "Islamophobia definition row: Baroness Shaista Gohir accused of 'smear campaign'"