Just over two weeks ago Communities Cohesion Minister Phil Woolas publicly insulted a young Muslim and dismissed her views as "crap" because she disagreed with him on British Foreign Policy.

The Government's Response? Silence.

In spite of the huge number of complaints, we've had no response from Woolas's office, from the organisers Government Northwest or from Labour Party offices.

Pressed for a response, Labour Party Northwest bluntly stated that they could not issue any statement or comment until "Phil confirmed what he did or didn't say."

"Isn't it highly unlikely that Woolas will respond given the seriousness of his faux pas?" I enquired only to be told repeatedly: "No comment."

Six other people were witness to his vicious outburst, countless people have complained, local and national media have covered the story... and you're still waiting for Woolas to confirm "what he did or didn't say."

The government on the one hand is ranting about a greater need to engage with young Muslims, hearing their views and addressing their concerns; Government Offices in the Northwest on the other hand are not only refusing to acknowledge our concerns, but demonstrating their blatant disregard and disrespect for our views by dismissing them as "crap" and then not responding.

Evidently the incident is a huge embarrassment for the government and strongly undermines its claims to engage and consult positively with British Muslims. But is turning a blind eye the answer, hoping that this will go away?

No it won't.

We demand a response.

We demand an apology.

The Government invites a group of Muslims to a consultation on the pretence of consulting, while unashamedly insulting a Muslim sister, and they don't have the decency to respond when we complain?

Was the sister talking "crap"?

As part of a group discussion, every woman on that table disagreed with Woolas and was utterly dismayed by his blatant ignorance and disregard towards their views.

Following the debacle, Woolas has conveniently gone AWOL and is unavailable for any comment.

More interestingly we were informed just yesterday that all complaints regarding this incident were now being redirected to Ruth Kelly and she would be dealing with the matter.

Ok, so let us reiterate: it's still been over two weeks since a young Muslim was insulted by Minister Phil Woolas and her views dismissed as "crap" at a Muslim Consultation event – and we still don't have a response.

Wasn't one of the aims of the new Integration Commission headed by Ruth Kelly, to tackle issues of exclusion and isolation?

Could Ms Kelly please clarify, is the aim to tackle or promote exclusion? Because thus far, Kelly's approach would suggest the latter.

Are we being excluded as standard policy procedure? Are we being ignored to further alienation and disaffection amongst Muslim youth?

There are stark disparities between the governments' proposed aims and their actions; if the government are sincere about working together for a better Britain, we would strongly urge the government to review it's approach and treatment of British Muslims.

If we don't take action, the governments approach of: 'insult em and ignore em' sets a dangerous precedent for us all, today it's one sister, tomorrow it'll be more...

Contact Ruth Kelly and her colleagues. And please copy MPACUK in all correspondence (info@mpacuk.org).

Ruth Kelly MP
Suite 4, Horwich Business Centre
86 Lee Lane
Horwich
Bolton
BL6 7AE

Tel: 01204 693351
(London: 020 7219 3496)
Fax: 01204 693383

Mark Carroll
Director for the Race, Cohesion and Faiths Directorate
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
(Responsible for putting together the so called "CONSULTATIONS" on Preventing Extremism and was the lead officer for the "Preventing Extremism Working Together Group")

Tel: 020 7035 3495
mark.carroll@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Jane Groom
Director of Communications
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)

Direct Line: 020 7944 8902
Switchboard: 020 7944 4400
jane.groom@communities.gsi.gov.uk

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