"The lack of right of reply for groups that fall under the new definition [of extremism] shows the UK government is using it for political point scoring and playing to the populist gallery, rather than any meaningful attempt to protect public safety."
As the new extremism definition hasn't been introduced through UK legislation and Parliamentary scrutiny, there's room for confusion over its application by public bodies.
This may result in even more people being swept under the Prevent programme for surveillance and data misuse.
The redefinition of extremism adds to the authoritarian lurch of recent years in the UK, as seen in restrictions on the right to protest, sweeping new police powers and the censorship of online expression.
We're left asking whose free speech is protected and who must keep quiet under the threat of being labelled an extremist?
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