Nick Timothy, the shadow justice secretary, has called on ministers to investigate a rise in white Muslim prisoners in England and Wales, amid concerns that violent Islamic gangs are forcing or pressuring inmates to convert. Ministry of Justice figures show that one in five Muslims in prison is white, compared with just 5.8 per cent of the general population, a disparity Timothy says raises "serious questions" that Labour must urgently address.

Experts, including Jonathan Hall KC, the government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, and Ian Acheson, who reviewed Islamist extremism in prisons, have previously documented gang leaders acting as "self-styled emirs" who recruit vulnerable inmates through favours, protection or violence. A 2023 government-commissioned review by Colin Bloom found some prisoners were ordered to convert or face intimidation, while others reportedly converted for perceived perks such as better food. White Muslim prisoner numbers rose 16 per cent, from 2,767 in 2022 to 3,218 by June 2025, while overall Muslim prisoner numbers rose 14 per cent to 16,051; the MOJ says it does not tolerate faith-based coercion and describes gang links as anecdotal.