Sarah Champion MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, responding to an open letter from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to political parties in the light of the rise in hate crime since the EU referendum, said: 

“The rise in hate crime since the EU referendum is a wakeup call for all of us, politicians and media included. 

“Politicians and the media have particular responsibility for the words and phrases we choose to use and recognise how this can contribute to creating a climate of fear, hatred and intolerance.

“The Government must take a strong lead in setting the tone for the country and produce a strategy on how they plan to curb the disturbing increase in racist and homophobic attacks since the referendum. 

“I urge the Government to halt further cuts to the EHRC which are severely hindering its ability to effectively act as the UK’s human rights and equalities watchdog. The work of the EHRC is more important now than ever.

 “We must all hold steadfast to the core values and principles of our country, which protect the rights and freedoms of all who live, work and visit here.”