A defining moment as ministers update what counts as extremism

Communities minister Michael Gove is set to publish a new government definition of extremism.

The announcement comes at a sensitive time, with tensions high in the Middle East, pro-Palestinian marches on the streets and MPs under intense pressure to call for a ceasefire in the fighting in Gaza.

More than a decade ago, in 2011, the government’s Prevent strategy defined extremism as the “active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs”.

But ministers are looking to broaden that definition, which they think is out of date. The government says it is “taking action to ensure that no extremist organisations or individuals are being given a platform by their actions and interactions with government”.

The new definition is designed to allow the government and other state bodies, such as councils, to halt their engagement with, or ban funding to, extremists such as Islamist and far-right groups.

Mr Gove believes the move could see fewer marchers on pro-Palestinian demonstrations. In an interview this weekend, the communities secretary said some of the events “have been organised by extremist organisations”. Ministers are planning to “go into details” that would allow protesters to question whether they “really want to be lending credence” to extremist groups, Mr Gove said. He warned that, for future marches, there would be “no excuse for ignorance”.

Government insiders fear that the controversial move is at risk of legal challenge, leaked documents seen by The Observer show.

Officials working for Mr Gove warned the move is “never going to work” and accused the government of wanting to announce the change without a public consultation “or proper engagement with faith leaders”.

Civil liberties groups also fear the reform could wrongly deem some organisations and individuals extremists and hurt freedom of speech.

On the other hand, there are Tory MPs concerned about the possible ramifications of the changes, particularly on groups with what are seen as socially conservative views, including those opposed to abortion or gay marriage.

Mr Gove has long taken an interest in these issues and was behind part of the prime minister’s extraordinary speech on the issue outside No 10 last Friday night. In that address, Rishi Sunak warned democracy was at risk, while just a few days earlier he had warned of the prospect of “mob rule”. On Sunday, the health secretary Victoria Atkins said the new approach would be a “balancing act” between “freedom of speech but also the right of citizens to go about their daily lives”. Time will tell if ministers get that balance right this week.