I was pleased to speak in Parliament today on the topic of Sharia councils and how they are used to oppress, exploit and abuse Muslim women.
Britain is the "Western capital" of Sharia councils and helps set up councils in other countries.
60%-80% of Muslim marriages in the UK are sharia-only marriages, with no British civil registration (and thus no protection for the wives, who can be quickly divorced and left penniless by the husband, who also has priority over custody of the children).
This is far higher than anywhere in the Western world.
Far too little is known about how some of these completely unregulated councils are led by extremists and Islamists.
Some councils condone wife beating, ignore sexual and honour based violence, and allow forced, child and cousin marriage - and can deny mothers access to their children. And that's just the start!
Sharia law and councils have no place in Britain or any advanced Western nation.
Around 50 in attendance today including MPs, Peers and other notable figures such as Sir William Shawcross who led the critical review into the Government's "Prevent" programme.
Thank you to the Women's Policy Centre & Paola Diana for inviting me and to Sarah Pochin MP for hosting.
Brilliant speeches from Dr. Anna Loutfi, Camilla Tominey and Khadija Khan.