British MP Sarah Pochin Sparks Major Backlash After Calling for All Sharia Courts to Be Shut Down: “Sharia Law Has No Place in Britain”

A fresh political storm erupted this week after British MP Sarah Pochin, representing Runcorn & Helsby under the Reform UK banner, called for the complete shutdown of all Islamic Sharia councils operating across the United Kingdom. Her comments triggered widespread outrage among Muslim organisations, community leaders, and human-rights activists.

“Sharia law has no place in Britain”

Speaking at a local political event, Pochin argued that the UK should only follow one national legal system, insisting that Sharia-based advisory bodies “undermine British law” and could potentially “create parallel justice structures.”

Her statement quickly went viral on social media, sparking heated debate between supporters who praised her stance on “protecting British values” and critics who accused her of fueling division and spreading misconceptions about the role of Sharia councils.

Muslim community leaders condemn remarks

Several Muslim organisations described Pochin’s comments as “irresponsible” and “misleading,” stressing that Sharia councils in the UK do not operate as courts and hold no legal authority over citizens.
They mostly deal with faith-based guidance, particularly on marriage, divorce, and community disputes, and are not permitted to override or replace UK law.

Community representatives warned that such political statements can heighten Islamophobia, strain inter-community relations, and spread fear among ordinary Muslim families.

Political reactions remain mixed

While some Reform UK supporters backed Pochin’s bold stance, arguing that the government should ensure a single unified legal system, other MPs and legal experts distanced themselves, emphasising that shutting down religious advisory bodies is legally complex and potentially discriminatory.

Prominent critics argued that Pochin’s remarks oversimplify a long-standing social issue and risk turning a nuanced topic into a culture-war headline.

Background: previous investigations

Sharia councils in Britain have been the subject of parliamentary reviews in the past. A 2016 inquiry by the Home Affairs Select Committee highlighted concerns regarding women’s rights and transparency, but also acknowledged that these bodies operate voluntarily and within the law.

No government has enacted a full ban, and the debate continues to emerge periodically in political rhetoric.

What’s next?

The controversy surrounding Sarah Pochin shows no sign of slowing down. Her remarks have become a flashpoint for a wider national conversation about religion, identity, and the balance between cultural freedoms and British legal principles.

Whether the government will respond formally remains uncertain, but community groups are urging political leaders to engage in informed, respectful dialogue rather than divisive statements.