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📋 Councillor Watch – Entry #001: Councillor Andrew Harrison (Reform UK, Seaham)

Date Logged: 31 May 2025 Subject: Sharing Islamophobic misinformation on official page Councillor: Andrew Harrison Party: Reform UK Division: Seaham, County Durham Position: Member of Durham County Council Committee Roles:

  • Area Planning Committee (Central and East)
  • Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board
  • County Council
  • Chair, Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee
  • Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee
  • Standards Committee

📌 Summary

On 27 May 2025, Councillor Andrew Harrison (Reform UK, Seaham) shared a video on the official Reform UK Seaham Facebook page that made the following claim:

"Implementation of Sharia Law is coming one council at a time."

The video implies that a single pro-Gaza councillor’s election in the UK is part of a broader attempt to impose Islamic religious law through local government.

As a County Durham resident, I contacted Councillor Harrison to ask for clarification and evidence. Both emails are reproduced below.

✉️ Email Sent (31 May 2025)

From: Neil [redacted] To: Andrew.Harrison2@durham.gov.uk

Hi Andrew,

I saw the video shared on the Reform UK Seaham page about Sharia law being “implemented one council at a time,” and I just had a few quick questions, as someone who lives locally and was curious about the claim:

  1. Which UK councils have implemented any part of Sharia law?
  2. What legal powers would allow a council to override UK law in favour of religious law?
  3. Is there any official record or policy that supports this claim?
  4. How does this relate to anything happening in Seaham or at Durham County Council?
  5. Was the video’s source (Sky News Australia) chosen for its accuracy or for its political stance?

I’m genuinely curious, because if this is true, it’s a major shift in UK governance — but if not, it feels like the kind of post that could unfairly stir up fear.

Thanks in advance,

Neil

✉️ Councillor Harrison's Reply (31 May 2025)

Hello Neil,

Thanks for your mail.

Sharia Law is not legal in the UK, it is an advisory rule book for certain faiths. Any posts are information only and show the intent of individuals and groups in the UK. Any changes on policy would come from central Government and there are no plans to allow law for one grouping.

We will continue to post and report anything in the public interest.

I hope this helps and any further information regarding this subject can be found on the HM Gov website.

Thank you,

Best regards,

Andrew

🧐 Analysis

This case appears to be an example of irresponsible fear-based politics. Let’s break it down methodically:

❗ 1. Admits it isn’t happening — but shares it anyway

Councillor Harrison explicitly confirms that:

  • Sharia law has no legal standing in the UK.
  • No council has the power to implement religious law.
  • There are no plans to allow this in future.

And yet he chose to share a video that strongly suggests it is happening. This appears to be a deliberate decision to promote a claim that he acknowledges has no legal or factual basis.

❗ 2. No relevance to County Durham

There is:

  • No mention of Seaham or Durham County Council in the video.
  • No indication that any local policy relates to the claim.

This post seems to have no connection to local governance. It instead introduces a nationalised narrative of fear and division into local discussion.

❗ 3. Islamophobic implications

The message conveyed by the post — that electing a Muslim or pro-Gaza councillor is a step toward religious dictatorship — can reasonably be interpreted as Islamophobic rhetoric. It suggests:

  • That Muslim political participation is inherently dangerous.
  • That support for Palestinian rights equates to extremism.

This kind of messaging risks spreading prejudice, fear, and distrust, especially in communities where Muslims are already underrepresented.

❗ 4. A questionable use of public responsibility

Cllr Harrison holds multiple oversight roles, including:

  • Chair of a scrutiny committee
  • Member of the Standards Committee
  • Member of Safer and Stronger Communities

These roles require:

  • Responsible, evidence-based communication
  • A commitment to public standards
  • Fostering safe, inclusive communities

Sharing material that he admits is not true, and that promotes a harmful narrative, seems at odds with these duties.

🗣️ Closing Statement

This entry records a public post and subsequent correspondence that together appear to show a county councillor knowingly sharing false and inflammatory claims, despite acknowledging they have no legal or factual basis.

When elected officials amplify such narratives — particularly those targeting religious minorities — it is right to log, analyse, and question their conduct.

Fearmongering isn’t governance. Islamophobia isn’t public service.

We all deserve better than this.