Wilson Chowdhry: 2025

Saturday, 16 August 2025

RAAC in Scotland: Housing Minister Engages, Campaign Group Raises the Stakes

IMAGE: Wilson Chowdhry at the forefront of RAAC homeowners’ protest outside the Scottish Parliament.

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Watch the historic moment as the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee officially backs the UK RAAC Campaign Group’s petition—a groundbreaking step in our fight for justice and accountability! (here)

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The UK RAAC Campaign Group has received a detailed response from Scotland’s new Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Màiri McAllan MSP, to our calls for legislative reform, Homebuyer Report improvements, and direct engagement with all affected residents. One of the most welcome developments is her agreement to put our legislative suggestions to the UK Government and to raise our Homebuyer Report reform proposals with the Scottish Government’s Building Standards Team. We will also expect that any responses from the UK Government and from Building Standards are forwarded to us, so affected homeowners can see clear lines of accountability and progress.

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Capaign Group, said: “We welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s commitment to raise our proposals at both UK and Scottish levels — but what matters now is that homeowners see transparent responses and real progress, not just promises.”

What those legislative changes could look like (from our submission)

Our submission urges Westminster to:

Amend key UK legislation — including the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, Finance Act 2003, and Insurance Act 2015 — to provide fairer financial relief (0% interest charges on outstanding mortgages), improved insurance access, and property purchasing support (such as restoring First Home Buyer status) for homeowners affected by RAAC or anyother safety defect through no fault of their own.
Introduce new product safety legislation for housing, modelled on the General Product Safety Regulations, to hold developers and contractors accountable for long-term safety defects — including RAAC and unsafe cladding.
Mandate enhanced home-buying surveys that assess building materials and long-term structural risks, to prevent similar housing crises in future.
Create a UK-wide compensation or rebuilding fund for RAAC-affected homes — ideally with Scottish Government co-funding and policy leadership — to support those unable to access insurance or meaningful compensation locally.

UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Democracy and Local Growth, Minister Alex Norris has said he considers many of these issues to be devolved matters, which is why we have now asked the Scottish Government to raise them formally with Westminster through the appropriate intergovernmental forums.

Wilson Chowdhry, added:

"These reforms are not radical — they are common-sense protections to ensure families are never left abandoned in unsafe homes again. We are calling for UK and Scottish Governments to work together, because affected homeowners don’t care which level of government acts first; they just need urgent, joined-up solutions."

Positive Outcomes from the Minister’s Response

1) Recognition of the crisis and a commitment to collaboration (but this alone isn’t new)
The Scottish Government has acknowledged the distress facing RAAC homeowners for some time. What matters now is delivery: the letter reiterates an intention to bring parties together for “solutions and agreed pathways to resolution.” We agree on shared accountability between the UK and Scottish Governments—and we’ve set out that if Westminster keeps refusing funding, Holyrood must act unilaterally. With affordable options like ReGrid on the table, neither government can plead cost as a barrier.

2) Commitment to push the UK Government on funding

The Minister again states that the UK Government bears responsibility for homes sold pre-devolution under Right to Buy and that she will keep pressing for a UK-wide remediation fund. That aligns with our stance on shared accountability—but we’ve been clear that Scotland must not simply keep chasing Westminster if it refuses. A Scottish-led programme remains essential if UK action stalls.

3) A more inclusive approach to resident engagement
We welcome the plan to meet all residents in affected areas, not just a select few who’ve had media attention. Homeowners face widely differing personal, financial and structural problems; every voice deserves to be heard. This is especially important given that early meetings arranged by certain local SNP MSPs were politically filtered, with only their supporters invited—something we challenged from day one. People have been harmed by this situation; they deserve the right to address senior decision-makers directly and without gatekeeping. The Minister’s letter confirms meetings in areas with the highest numbers of privately owned RAAC-affected properties, with residents, local campaign groups and elected representatives invited.

4) A national RAAC in Housing Response Group
The Scottish Government will convene a RAAC in Housing Response Group—bringing together Chief Executives of affected councils and RSLs alongside other key actors—to drive pace and progress. Done well, this can coordinate a national strategy and unblock delays.

5) Practical technical guidance
The Government is supporting the Institution of Structural Engineers to publish RAAC-specific housing guidance later this summer, covering assessment and template solutions—useful groundwork if it’s paired with funding and delivery.

6) A separate meeting with UK RAAC Campaign Group leadership
The Minister has agreed a dedicated meeting with the UKRAAC Campaign Group as part of her wider engagement. We see this as clear recognition of our leadership: the leading petitions have been authored by us; we’ve submitted evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on Building Safety; and contributed to the UK Government’s Green Paper on Construction Products. Evidence we supplied to Alex Norris MP (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Building Safety, Fire and Local Growth) has been passed to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as they continue to monitor RAAC under the Building Safety Act 2022.

Fiona Crichton, Secretary for the UK RAAC Campaign Group, said:
"It’s encouraging to see the Scottish Government acknowledge the scale of the RAAC crisis and commit to action. But for homeowners, what matters most is delivery—real funding, practical solutions, and a coordinated strategy that doesn’t leave families waiting while governments debate responsibility."

Our Further Requests to the Minister

Forward all responses: We have asked the Housing Minister to share with us any responses received from the UK Government and from the Building Standards Team regarding our legislative proposals and Homebuyer Report reforms, so homeowners can see progress in real time.
Public Inquiry: We continue to call for a full public inquiry to establish responsibility across local, Scottish and UK levels, given decades of missed warnings and policy failures.
Tailored solutions for Scotland’s uniquely severe crisis: With over 1,300 private homeowners affected—far more than anywhere else in the UK—Scotland needs bespoke solutions proportionate to the scale of the problem.
Practical, affordable remediation pathways: Evaluate non-intrusive options such as ReGrid—a carbon-fibre/Kevlar® reinforcement tested on critical infrastructure, installable in ~2 days without relocations, at a fraction of full replacement cost. This could make a national programme financially viable.
Firm meeting dates with inclusive invites: Confirm dates for Clackmannanshire and West Lothian, Dundee and Aberdeen homeowner meetings, ensuring all residents, local groups and elected representatives are invited—not a hand-picked few. Other Groups will be added to this list.
First Minister attendance for solutions-focused talks: We have formally requested First Minister John Swinney to attend our meeting with the Housing Minister. This is not just another opportunity to describe the impact on homeowners—which Ministers must be acutely aware of by now—but a session to discuss practical solutions, a public inquiry, funding mechanisms and timelines. The First Minister’s presence is vital because only he has the authority to commit the Scottish Government to concrete actions, ensure cross-departmental coordination, and escalate matters to Westminster where UK-wide intervention is required. His attendance will be a clear test of leadership and accountability: whether the Scottish Government is willing to take responsibility for securing urgent, workable solutions for families whose lives remain in limbo.

Kerry Mackintosh, Vice Chair of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, said:
"Homeowners need action, not just words. The First Minister’s attendance is critical—it signals real accountability and gives hope that practical solutions, proper funding, and tailored support will finally reach those living in unsafe homes across Scotland."

Looking Ahead

There are now explicit commitments to take our legislative and Homebuyer Report proposals forward, to involve all affected residents in future meetings, to convene a national RAAC Response Group, and to meet UKRCG leadership separately in recognition of our role and evidence base. We will continue to hold both governments to account—and we expect timely forwarding of any UK Government and Building Standards replies—so every homeowner, regardless of political connections or media profile, has a path to safety and resolution.

Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Ignored, Excluded, and Still Waiting: Scottish RAAC Homeowners Demand Urgent Meeting with Government

IMAGE: False assurances: Swinney claims openness on Channel 5, but still snubs every request from RAAC homeowners.

By Wilson Chowdhry, Chairperson of the UK RAAC Campaign Group

29 July 2025

In a nation that prides itself on fairness and justice, RAAC-affected homeowners across Scotland are asking a simple question: Why are we being ignored?

This week, I sent a formal letter — co-signed by Kerry MacKintosh (Deputy Chair of the UK RAAC Campaign Group and spokesperson for West Lothian homeowners) and Lynsey McQuater (Chair of the Tillicoultry RAAC Campaign Group) — to Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and Cabinet Secretary for Housing Màiri McAllan. The letter urgently requests a personal and group meeting to discuss the escalating crisis facing homeowners whose properties contain dangerous Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). Read the letter redacted to remove signatures (here).

Despite multiple previous requests for engagement, our calls for dialogue have been met with silence.

“I’ve been ousted from my home for nearly two years — a home I worked hard for, that I expected to grow old in — and what have I been offered? A so-called ‘voluntary agreement’ that doesn’t even reflect the real value of my property, or an interest-ridden loan that only lasts 15 years. These are not solutions — they’re ultimatums disguised as choices. Clackmannanshire Council is being allowed to push these unacceptable offers onto homeowners because the Scottish Government won’t even grant us the dignity of a meeting. How can they pretend to care when they refuse to even listen?” – Lynsey McQuater, Chair, Tillicoultry RAAC Campaign Group and frontline NHS nurse.

Scotland’s RAAC Crisis: A National Scandal in Slow Motion

The Scottish Government has yet to meet with the most informed and engaged campaigners on this issue — even as homes crumble, families remain displaced, and uncertainty deepens. Instead, isolated meetings have been arranged with residents from Dundee and Aberdeen — groups less involved in national coordination — while key voices from West Lothian and Tillicoultry have been deliberately excluded.

This exclusion is not just poor planning; it sends a message: "Your voice does not matter."

I was originally invited to a Dundee meeting by the very campaign group I helped to establish. But on the day of the meeting, I was barred from attending — told I could not enter because I did not live in Dundee. Yet Aberdeen residents were allowed to attend a meeting in Dundee. How can this inconsistency be justified?

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, said:

“It’s clear to me that the Housing Minister’s previous visits were nothing more than political theatre — carefully staged in areas where the SNP holds a strong majority, and offering absolutely nothing of substance to desperate families. These visits gave false hope to residents who trusted their elected representatives to help them, only to be handed empty promises and deflections. The Scottish Government continues to call on Westminster to fund a solution, knowing full well that homeowners like us won’t be so easily pacified. That’s why they refuse to meet with us — because they know we’ll hold them to account. Meanwhile, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Dundee RAAC Campaign Group have already sold their homes for a pittance, betrayed by the very politicians they once believed in. We will not be silenced.”

To make matters worse, First Minister John Swinney now claims he’s willing to meet RAAC homeowners—yet continues to ignore every request we've made. Please watch the video:

Leadership Requires Courage — and Accountability

Scotland’s Parliament has recognised my work on this issue. I have drafted and submitted petitions to the Scottish, Welsh, and UK Parliaments, which have been referenced in parliamentary debates across the UK. That expertise should be seen as an asset — not a threat.

The Scottish Government’s approach so far has amounted to little more than window dressing. No firm commitments have been made. No timelines have been given. And most importantly, no responsibility has been taken.

Housing is a devolved matter. That means the Scottish Government has both the power and the duty to act. If Westminster refuses to fund remediation, will Holyrood step up, or will our communities continue to be passed from pillar to post?

A Crisis Felt Hardest by the Most Vulnerable

Tillicoultry, Deans South, and other RAAC-affected estates are not affluent neighbourhoods. These are communities that already face deprivation and housing insecurity. For them, the RAAC crisis is not a political inconvenience — it is a daily, living nightmare. Roofs are collapsing. Homes are uninhabitable. Possessions remain inside derelict buildings, exposed to weather and theft. Families are separated, livelihoods disrupted.

The silence from those in power is not just disappointing. It’s shameful.

Political Support Is Growing — But Where Is the Scottish Government?

Even as Scottish ministers continue to dodge responsibility, other elected officials are stepping up. MP Brian Leishman has not only voiced his concern publicly but has also taken formal action. In a letter dated 19 June 2025, addressed to Housing Cabinet Secretary Màiri McAllan, he requested a meeting in Tillicoultry with residents directly impacted by the RAAC evacuations. He highlighted that his constituents were given just a few hours’ notice before being forced from their homes and that, eighteen months on, they are no closer to a resolution with Clackmannanshire Council. He made clear that this situation is “in no way an acceptable one” and urged the Cabinet Secretary to work toward a just solution. The letter also raised the possibility of accessing the Housing Infrastructure Fund, as has been discussed in Aberdeen, to help mitigate remediation costs.

Leishman further expressed his frustration in a public statement:

"It has been more than a month since I wrote to the new Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Housing to invite her to a meeting with my Tillicoultry constituents who have been impacted by the RAAC crisis. Homeowners deserve a fair resolution after going through hardship many of us cannot even imagine..."

"It has been more than a month since I wrote to the new Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Housing to invite her to a meeting with my Tillicoultry constituents who have been impacted by the RAAC crisis. Homeowners deserve a fair resolution after going through hardship many of us cannot even imagine. I am still waiting for the Minister’s reply as I am keen to discuss what people have gone through and how their lives have been changed forever, through no fault of their own."

He also expressed his intention to raise the issue in Westminster after the summer recess and drew attention to our newly launched public petition:
👉 https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/730731

It is clear that momentum is growing — and that the public, media, and political figures are beginning to recognise the scale and injustice of this scandal.

A Call for Justice — And a Meeting

Our letter reminds Scotland’s leaders that they walk in the shadow of giants — from William Wallace to Robert the Bruce — figures who symbolised justice and resistance. Today, Scotland’s government must live up to that legacy.

We are asking, once again, for a meeting. Not a PR stunt. Not a vague promise to “look into it.” But an honest, respectful, solutions-focused discussion between decision-makers and those living the consequences of decisions made decades ago.

The Scottish Government can no longer claim ignorance. We await their response.

Until then, we will not be silent.

“I am absolutely disgusted by the way the SNP has treated Scottish citizens affected by RAAC in their homes. I’m one of only ten people who won a public inquiry in 2004 to save my home in West Lothian — and the Scottish Government did nothing to help then, just as they’re doing nothing now. They speak of independence and national pride, yet fail to serve their own people with the same respect and fairness shown by their English counterparts. The blood of martyrs built this country, but today’s politicians dishonour that legacy. William Wallace would turn in his grave at the state of Scottish leadership. We must be compensated just as residents in Basildon were — with pre-RAAC valuations and recognition of the full costs of losing a home. Nothing less is acceptable.”
— Kerry MacKintosh, Deputy Chair, UK RAAC Campaign Group & West Lothian RAAC Spokesperson

If you're a Scottish resident concerned about the RAAC crisis, or if you believe in justice for homeowners abandoned by the system, please share this post and tag @ScotGov in your messages. Sign and share the petition. Our voices deserve to be heard.

#RAACScotland #DeansSouth #TillicoultryRAAC #ScottishHousingCrisis #WeAreNotGoingAway #JusticeForHomeowners #UKRAACCampainGroup

Monday, 28 July 2025

"We Will Not Be Silenced": United by Faith Joins March Against Antisemitism in Brighton

United by Faith Chairman Wilson Chowdhry, Delivers Powerful Speech at Brighton’s March Against Extremism

Brighton, July 27, 2025 – More than 200 people took part in a defiant march through Brighton on Sunday, standing in solidarity with Jewish communities amid rising antisemitism in the UK. The March Against Extremism, co-organised by Jewish & Proud, Sussex Friends of Israel, and Stop The Hate, called for urgent government action against anti-Jewish hate and the immediate release of hostages still held in Gaza, now 661 days into captivity.

Among the keynote speakers was Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of United by Faith, a Christian human rights group that unites believers from diverse ethnic and denominational backgrounds. A respected campaigner of Pakistani origin, Wilson was joined at the event by his wife and daughters in a clear display of interfaith solidarity. He was invited to speak at the march’s first major stop, the historic Brighton Clock Tower, where his heartfelt and uncompromising message received a deeply emotional response from the crowd. Please watch the video below:

Speech by Wilson Chowdhry – Stop the Hate March for Israel

Good afternoon, friends.
It’s an honour to be with you today, and I want to thank Yochy, Mel, Vicky, and all the organisers of Jewish & Proud, Sussex Friends of Israel, and Stop the Hate for inviting me to speak.

My name is Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of United by Faith. I am a Pakistani origin Christian and a human rights activist, and I stand with you today because I believe truth matters — and because I’ve seen what happens when hatred is allowed to grow unchecked.

I come from a community that has suffered from persecution. In Pakistan, Christians are murdered for their faith, jailed under blasphemy laws, and treated as second-class citizens. I know what it feels like to be demonised, to be lied about, and to be attacked just for who you are.

That’s why I cannot stay silent as Israel — and by extension, Jews around the world — are being vilified in a relentless, dangerous propaganda campaign.

We are seeing a distortion of truth on a global scale. The October 7th massacre, where over 1,200 innocent people were slaughtered and 251 taken hostage, has somehow been buried under headlines that blame Israel for the suffering caused by Hamas.

Let’s be clear: supporting Palestinian civilians does not require vilifying Jews or legitimising terror. But the propaganda we’re seeing does exactly that — and it is fuelling antisemitism in our towns, in our schools, in our places of worship. That is unacceptable.

What’s worse, humanitarian aid — meant to save lives — is being weaponised to shame Israel. Lorries sit waiting at the border, but the UN won’t take the aid across, often citing chaos or refusing to work with more efficient partners like the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Hamas steals aid, uses it to fund its war machine, and then turns the cameras on starving children to blame Israel.

Meanwhile, Israel is not only allowing aid in — it has paused military operations 10 hours a day in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Muwasi to create humanitarian corridors. It’s even carried out aid airdrops — delivering flour, sugar, and canned food — in areas still under Hamas control and allows other nations the same privilege. What other country fighting a genocidal terrorist group does that?

And yet, what dominates the headlines? Accusations. Condemnation. Demands for ceasefires without a single mention of the 50 hostages still held by Hamas — many of whom are presumed dead.

Let me ask: How can there be peace while hostages remain in captivity? How can a meaningful process begin while Hamas — which started this war — still refuses even to allow the Red Cross to check on the captives?

Any nation under attack has the right to defend itself. Israel has shown restraint, even under extreme provocation. The world should be rallying behind the demand for hostage release, not rushing to label Israel as a war criminal while ignoring the brutality of Hamas.

To my Jewish brothers and sisters: you are not alone. You have friends in the Christian world. You have allies who see the truth and will stand with you, shoulder to shoulder, against the lies.

Today, let’s change the narrative. Let’s tell the world:

That truth matters

That Jewish lives matter

That Israel has the right to exist and defend itself

And that we will not be silenced by mobs or intimidated by hatred

Am Yisrael Chai — the people of Israel live.
And so does truth, justice, and our shared humanity.

A united voice: Wilson Chowdhry (United by Faith) and Mark Birbeck (Our Fight) speak out on faith and freedom

Before I close, I must raise a serious concern about developments here in the UK.

The government has appointed a working group, chaired by Dominic Grieve, to define “anti-Muslim hatred” or “Islamophobia.” While protecting Muslims from genuine hate is essential, this group includes no dissenting voices — no ex-Muslims, secular thinkers, or free speech advocates — and is likely to produce a vague, one-sided definition that could criminalise legitimate criticism of Islam.

This risks creating a blasphemy law in all but name, threatening freedom of speech and conscience in a way we’ve seen weaponised in countries like Pakistan.

That’s why I’m asking you to sign my petitions calling for:

A pause in the process

Proper public consultation

A balanced approach that protects all communities without censoring debate or dissent

You can find both petitions, including the official UK Government online petition, on my blog at wilsonsthirdway.blogspot.com, or feel free to give me your email after the event and I’ll send you the links directly.

Thank you.

A Cross-Community Call for Justice

The event began at Brighton Station at 12pm, making its way through the city centre via Jubilee Clock Tower, Western Road, Preston Street, and the beachfront, before culminating at the Peace Memorial in Hove. A vigil for hostages still held in Gaza followed — a deeply moving moment marked by memorial prayers and quiet reflection.

Participants included:

Jewish & Proud – Local organisers mobilising grassroots Jewish resistance to hate
Sussex Friends of Israel – Brighton’s leading direct-action Zionist group
Stop The Hate – The UK’s largest Jewish-led direct action organisation
Our Fight – A cross-faith, pro-Israel alliance of Jews and non-Jews determined to uphold the truth of October 7th

A visible police presence helped ensure a largely peaceful and respectful event, despite attempts by a handful of aggressive pro-Palestinian counter-protesters to disrupt the proceedings. Tensions flared briefly during two separate incidents, but swift police intervention and arrests helped restore order. Once calm was re-established, the march continued with renewed focus and determination. The tone throughout remained solemn yet defiant — a united stand against the vilification of Israel and the growing hostility faced by its supporters.

After the march, many participants attended a community lunch at La Piazza in Palmeira Square, further building friendships and partnerships between attendees of all backgrounds. Chairman Chowdhry and his family were warmly received at the protest, with many thanking him for his courage and clarity.

A Message That Resonates

Reflecting on the day, Wilson Chowdhry said:

"To march today with my wife and daughters alongside so many brave Jewish families was humbling. Our faith compels us to act against injustice, and this event proved that when people of good conscience unite, hate loses ground. We must keep standing together — loudly, visibly, and consistently."

United by Faith remains committed to strengthening interfaith bonds and challenging all forms of religious hatred. We extend our thanks to the organisers of the March Against Extremism and to all who continue to speak out for truth, justice, and the right to live free from fear.

Monday, 21 July 2025

Is the UK Sleepwalking into a Blasphemy Law?

In 2023, a video circulated on TikTok showing an Islamist threatening to urinate on a Bible in a public place, causing widespread distress among Christians. No one was prosecuted.

Sign our iPetition here while we await approval of the official UK Government petition.

👉 Sign the UK Government petition here
Let’s protect both our communities and our civil liberties.

A Call for Transparency in Defining Islamophobia

By Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of United by Faith
Unifying Christians from All Walks of Life Around Common Values and Concerns

A new UK government working group has been tasked with defining "Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia"—a move that may appear well-intentioned on the surface but is raising serious concerns among religious liberty advocates, secular thinkers, and human rights defenders.

The group, chaired by former Attorney General Dominic Grieve and led under the oversight of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, is expected to deliver a non-statutory definition within six months. While aimed at curbing rising levels of anti-Muslim hostility, critics fear the working group’s one-sided composition—entirely made up of those in favour of such a definition—could produce a dangerously vague outcome that effectively imposes a blasphemy code.

Islam is a Belief, Not a Race

Critics across the spectrum agree that Muslims, like people of all faiths, deserve protection from hate and violence. But the term Islamophobia risks conflating criticism of a belief system with hatred towards individuals. Islam is not an ethnicity; it is an ideology, and in a democratic society, ideologies must remain open to scrutiny, debate, and even satire.

Lord Alton of Liverpool recently warned of the dangers of embedding blasphemy-style provisions into UK policy, citing how similar laws in other nations have been used to imprison, torture, or even execute those accused of "offending" religious sentiment. “I have personally seen how they can be misused,” he said.

Yet, despite these warnings, the government launched a quiet public consultation with little public awareness and brought the decision date forward—curtailing public scrutiny and meaningful engagement.

The Rise in Antisemitism and the Danger of Selective Focus

The sharp rise in antisemitism across the UK and Europe underscores the need for a balanced and inclusive strategy to address religious hatred. Since the October 2023 Israel–Hamas conflict, the UK has witnessed a surge in antisemitic incidents—ranging from the defacement of Jewish schools and synagogues, to verbal abuse on public transport, and physical attacks in broad daylight. In November 2023, a Jewish teacher in North London was hospitalised after being assaulted near her home. In another case, protestors in Manchester were filmed chanting threats outside a kosher supermarket. Yet while these deeply concerning trends persist, political and legal efforts to define religious hate often focus almost exclusively on Islamophobia, sidelining equally urgent threats. A fair, transparent framework must address all forms of religious hatred—antisemitism, kaffirophobia, and anti-Christian bigotry—without privileging one community’s protection at the expense of others.

The Chilling Realities of Religious Censorship

The danger of enshrining a vague definition of Islamophobia becomes clear when we reflect on recent real-life cases in the UK and beyond.

In 2022, screenings of the film The Lady of Heaven—a Shia perspective on Islamic history—were cancelled in several cinemas after protests by some Muslim groups, who claimed the film was “blasphemous.” This act of mob censorship, upheld by fear and silence, should not be the precedent for how our society engages with religious expression.
Salman Rushdie, who spent decades in hiding after publishing The Satanic Verses, was stabbed on stage in 2022, in an attack fuelled by religious extremism. If criticising aspects of Islamic theology becomes classified as Islamophobia, even indirectly, such voices could be legally and socially silenced in future.
Nissar Hussain, a British-Pakistani convert to Christianity, endured years of harassment—including assaults and the firebombing of his home—for leaving Islam. Despite public appeals and police involvement, his family was eventually forced to flee their Bradford home. Would raising such concerns about Islamic communities or teachings under a new definition of Islamophobia be deemed “hateful”?
Similarly, a disturbing trend of religiously motivated harassment has emerged against those who critique or leave Islam. In December 2018, Zaheer Hussain released a vile online rant targeting a Muslim convert to Christianity, threatening to sodomize him and mocking his baptism. Despite the victim facing ongoing threats and needing police surveillance, no prosecution followed—even with video evidence. More recently, a separate video emerged showing a man threatening to urinate on a Bible in public, declaring that no Christian in England would dare stop him. Although police eventually began investigating, only after pressure from campaigners, Thames Valley Police initially dismissed the case when just one Christian reported it. These incidents highlight a chilling double standard: if a wide definition of Islamophobia is adopted, would public criticism of Islam—such as apostates sharing their faith journeys—be censured, while Islamist threats and incitements to hatred go unchallenged under the guise of religious sensitivity?

BACA’s Longstanding Campaign Against Kaffirophobia and Apostasy Hatred

The British Asian Christian Association, or (BACA) has been actively working to challenge apostasy hatred and what it terms kaffirophobia—a growing animosity towards non-Muslims—for many years. In 2016, BACA under a former guise submitted a comprehensive report to the UK Hate Crime Inquiry, authored by N. Lewis, and A. Hussain, outlining concerns and proposing actionable reforms. Many of these recommendations were unfortunately overlooked. Later, in 2019, researcher K. Gibbs and W. Chowdhry submitted further evidence to the Islamophobia Review Committee. In their most recent submission, BACA explored the connection between Islamophobia and kaffirophobia, arguing that any serious attempt to reduce anti-Muslim hatred must also address hatred against former Muslims and non-Muslims. They posit that addressing kaffirophobia holistically would help create a more balanced and just approach to tackling religiously motivated hate.

These examples show the asymmetry that can emerge when policy protects religious feelings over free conscience, speech, and belief. A narrowly defined understanding of Islamophobia could result in the suppression of apostates, reformers, journalists, filmmakers, academics, and artists, all under the pretext of fighting hate.

Free Speech Must Be Non-Negotiable

Danny Webster of the Evangelical Alliance warned that any definition of anti-Muslim hatred “must safeguard the freedom to criticise religious belief and support the freedom for people to change their beliefs.” Without this, a climate of fear and self-censorship will emerge—one where disagreement is silenced under institutional guidance.

Even senior politicians have echoed this concern. Former Communities Secretary Lord Pickles said the real danger lies in rushing the process without adequate reflection, while Kemi Badenoch stated plainly: “The definition of ‘Islamophobia’... creates a blasphemy law via the back door if adopted.”

Sign the Petition — Defend Our Freedoms

In light of these concerns, I have launched a UK Government petition to call for immediate changes to this process. We urge the government to:

Pause the current working group process
Conduct a fully open and transparent consultation
Include voices from across faiths, ideologies, and communities, including ex-Muslims, secular thinkers, and human rights groups
Ensure any definition protects freedom of speech, including the right to criticise religion
Reject any definition that could criminalise dissent or empower mob censorship

We must ensure that hatred against Muslims is addressed, but not at the expense of suppressing freedoms that define British democracy.

Religious ideas—like all ideas—must be open to debate, not shielded by law. Please help defend this principle.

Sign our iPetition here while we await approval of the official UK Government petition.

👉 Sign the UK Government petition here
Let’s protect both our communities and our civil liberties.

Thursday, 17 July 2025

Breakthrough for RAAC Campaigners in Wales: Petition Secures Official Review by Petitions Committee

If you are a Welsh resident, please show your support by signing our petition to the Welsh Government: https://petitions.senewales/petitdd.ions/246606
JOIN OUR 'UK RAAC CAMPAIGN GROUP' FB PAGE (HERE)
PLEASE SIGN OUR OFFICIAL UK GOVERNMENT PETITION (HERE).

WATCH FIRST NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS FEATURE ON RAAC HOUSING CRISES (HERE)

Please complete our impact survey (here)

Published by Wilson Chowdhry of the UK RAAC Campaign Group

17 July 2025

We are delighted to announce a significant milestone in the campaign for justice for RAAC-affected homeowners in Wales. Today, the official petition submitted to the Welsh Government has entered a crucial new phase.

For decades, Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)—a lightweight, cheaper alternative to traditional concrete—was used in the construction of homes and public buildings across the UK. But RAAC has since been revealed to have serious structural flaws, with many buildings now at risk of sudden collapse without warning. In Wales, dozens of families—particularly elderly homeowners—have discovered their properties are affected, leaving them facing life-altering repair bills, mortgage rejections, plummeting property values, and in many cases, the threat of bankruptcy or homelessness.

Despite the growing evidence of systemic oversight failures, the Welsh Government has so far offered only limited local support—and ruled out a national remediation fund or a public inquiry. That’s why this petition is so vital.

Just over a month ago we launched a Welsh Government Petition on 12 June 2025, our petition calling for a national RAAC remediation fund, a statutory public inquiry, and the creation of a High-Risk Property Register has already passed the 250-signature threshold required for official review. The Petitions Portal now confirms that:
“The Petitions Committee will consider this petition.”

This is a moment of huge elation for campaigners, who have worked tirelessly to ensure the Welsh Government does not turn a blind eye to the suffering of dozens of affected families—many of them elderly—facing crippling repair costs, mental health trauma, and the looming threat of homelessness and bankruptcy.

✍️ Chairman Wilson Chowdhry Speaks Out

“This news brings great joy and renewed hope to those of us who have been fighting to get the voices of RAAC homeowners heard in Wales. The Petitions Committee’s review opens the door to real change.

But our work isn’t over. With the petition remaining open until 12 November 2025, we now urge every concerned citizen to sign and share it widely. If we reach 10,000 signatures, the petition becomes eligible for debate in the Senedd—a critical step that would force government ministers to engage with the full scale of this crisis.

Even short of a debate, every additional signature strengthens our mandate and sends a clear message: the public wants justice, fairness, and action.”

— Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman, UK RAAC Campaign Group

🌍 Learning From Scotland’s Example

Campaigners in Wales are buoyed by the progress seen in Scotland following a similar petition. There, the Scottish Parliament’s Petitions Committee has already agreed to:

Keep the petition open to allow further engagement;
Consult professional bodies, including Built Environment Scotland and RICS; Read their responses (here) and then click Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee Consideration for all submissions.
Seek answers from the Minister for Housing about financial support gaps;
Explore UK Government funding for RAAC remediation;
Request updates on improving Home Report standards;
Consider formal evidence sessions, potentially calling in the Housing Minister.

This proactive, transparent approach is exactly what RAAC homeowners in Wales deserve—and we are hopeful that the Welsh Petitions Committee will follow suit.

💥 Why This Matters

As our recent article, “RAAC Crisis in Wales: Why the Welsh Government Must Do More for Homeowners in Despair,” outlines, the crisis isn’t just technical—it’s deeply human. Families bought homes in good faith, only to discover hidden structural defects that were long known to officials but never disclosed to the public.

So far, support has been limited, inconsistent, and often inaccessible. While some homeowners in areas like Gower Estate have received grants or loans, others have been left to bear five-figure repair bills alone.

We are calling for:

A National RAAC Remediation Fund in Wales;
A Statutory Public Inquiry into the systemic failures that led to this crisis;
A High-Risk Property Register to protect future buyers and tenants.

📢 What You Can Do

This petition is a rallying point for every affected homeowner, concerned citizen, and advocate for housing justice. Here’s how you can help:

✅ Sign the petition before 12 November 2025
✅ Share it with family, friends, and on social media
✅ Write to your MS (Member of the Senedd) and urge them to support RAAC-affected homeowners

Together, we can push the Welsh Government to take the same bold, moral, and urgent action that Scotland is beginning to undertake.

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

Farewell to Fauja Singh: The Turbaned Tornado Who Ran Into History

IMAGE: Wilson Chowdhry and Fauja Singh just before a Redbridge Park Run event

By Wilson Chowdhry

The world has lost a legend. Fauja Singh, the British-Indian centenarian runner affectionately dubbed the “Turbaned Tornado,” passed away at the age of 114 after a tragic hit-and-run accident in his ancestral village of Beas Pind, Punjab.

Fauja Singh wasn’t just a marathon runner—he was a phenomenon. A man who defied expectations, transformed grief into purpose, and inspired generations with his message of discipline, humility, and determination. View Aljazeera video below:

A Life Rewritten at 89

Most athletes are winding down their careers by their 40s. Fauja Singh hadn’t even started. After a life spent as a farmer, he took up running at 89 years old in an effort to overcome the deep grief of losing his wife and then his son in a tragic accident. It was in London, after meeting a group of elderly runners and his eventual coach Harmander Singh, that his marathon journey began.

And what a journey it was.

From his debut at the London Marathon in 2000—where he refused to run without his turban—to completing his final competitive race at age 102 in Hong Kong, Singh ran not only for himself, but for countless charitable causes. At 100, he famously completed the Toronto Marathon, becoming, by all accounts, the first centenarian to do so. Though Guinness World Records couldn’t verify his age due to a lack of a birth certificate from 1911, his British passport and a congratulatory letter from the Queen speak volumes.

Meeting a Legend

I had the honour of running alongside Fauja Singh at a Parkrun in Valentines Park on 31st March 2012. It’s a memory I cherish deeply. Despite his age, he radiated energy and encouragement, pushing those around him to keep going—not just in the run, but in life. Just weeks later, he completed what would be his final London Marathon at 101, clocking in at 7 hours and 49 minutes—beating his personal target by over 30 minutes and raising £1000 for charity.

His presence was always more than just inspirational—it was transformative. Seeing someone who had overcome so much run with such purpose was a moment of revelation.

A Legacy That Will Keep Running

Fauja Singh didn’t just run marathons—he redefined them. He became a torchbearer for the 2012 London Olympics, appeared in Adidas' iconic Impossible is Nothing campaign alongside Muhammad Ali, and was invited by Queen Elizabeth II to Buckingham Palace. He was even invited to participate in Pakistan’s first Lahore Marathon—a powerful gesture from a man whose life spanned the era of Partition.

He never chased fame. Instead, he used his visibility to raise funds for premature infants, disaster relief, and numerous community initiatives. His running club, Sikhs In The City, continues that mission today, and has vowed to dedicate all upcoming events—including the Fauja Singh Birthday Challenge in 2026—to celebrating his extraordinary life.

Plans are also underway to build the Fauja Singh Clubhouse in Ilford along his old training route—a fitting tribute to a man who brought so much pride to East London and beyond.

Lessons From the Turbaned Tornado

When the BBC last visited him in June 2025, he was still walking several miles a day. His secret? "Eat less, run more, and stay happy." It was a simple philosophy, but one that kept him healthy for over a century.

Fauja Singh reminded us that resilience is born not just from strength, but from faith, discipline, and community. That legacy will outlive any record or medal.

His passing marks the end of an era. But his spirit—unbreakable, humble, and full of hope—will run on forever.

Rest in peace, Fauja Singh. Thank you for showing the world that it’s never too late to start, and never too early to make a difference.

Saturday, 12 July 2025

No More Excuses’: Holyrood Urged to Break RAAC Reform Deadlock

12 July 2025 — The UK RAAC Campaign Group has called on the Scottish Government to take immediate and decisive action to support families affected by the RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) crisis. In an open letter addressed to First Minister John Swinney and Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy Màiri McAllan, campaign chair Wilson Chowdhry demanded formal engagement with Westminster to unlock stalled reforms and de

liver real solutions for Scottish homeowners.

The letter follows a disappointing response from UK Minister Alex Norris MP, who claimed that building safety is “a devolved issue” — effectively placing the burden back on the Scottish Government.

“While I firmly reject this characterisation — given that my proposals clearly fall within the scope of reserved matters including finance, taxation, product safety, and insurance — I now call on you, as leaders of the Scottish Government, to formally engage with the UK Government in order to secure meaningful action for Scottish residents affected by the RAAC crisis.”

The letter lays out four urgent policy areas that require UK-wide collaboration and reform:

Amendments to UK legislation — including financial and insurance laws — to provide fairer support for RAAC-affected homeowners.
New product safety legislation for housing, holding developers accountable for materials like RAAC and unsafe cladding.
Mandatory home-buying surveys that include structural risk assessments to prevent future disasters.
A UK-wide compensation or rebuilding fund, with co-funding and leadership from the Scottish Government.

Chowdhry also criticised the previous housing minister, Paul McLennan MSP, for his lack of engagement with affected homeowners, particularly in areas not dominated by the SNP.

“Your administration must now show the decisive leadership that has so far been absent,” the letter urges.

The RAAC Campaign Group is now requesting a direct meeting with the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary to present evidence and discuss a joint approach to solving the crisis. Without Scottish Government leadership, the group warns that UK-wide reforms will remain blocked — leaving hundreds of Scottish families in limbo, displaced from unsafe homes and without meaningful support.

If the UK Government insists it cannot act without input from devolved administrations, then it is now up to Holyrood to take the lead.

📩 For media enquiries or to support the campaign, contact Wilson Chowdhry at wilson@aasecurity.co.uk

Tuesday, 8 July 2025

‘Consultation’ or Coercion? Aberdeen Council’s RAAC Sham Exposed

JOIN OUR 'UK RAAC CAMPAIGN GROUP' FB PAGE (HERE)
PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITIONS (CLICK HERE), OFFICIAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PETITION (CLICK HERE)

WATCH FIRST NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS FEATURE ON RAAC HOUSING CRISES (HERE)

Watch the historic moment as the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee officially backs the UK RAAC Campaign Group’s petition—a groundbreaking step in our fight for justice and accountability! (here)

Please complete our impact survey (here)

Author:

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman – UK RAAC Campaign Group

Swap, Sell or Sink: The Cruel Choices Facing Aberdeen’s RAAC Victims

Today I sent a formal open letter to Stephen Booth, Chief Officer of Early Intervention and Community Empowerment at Aberdeen City Council, outlining a series of major concerns around the Council’s response to the ongoing RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) housing crisis. The current proposals, presented to affected homeowners by Aberdeen City Council, have caused widespread distress, confusion, and outrage.

As Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, I feel compelled to speak publicly on behalf of those homeowners whose lives have been upended by the discovery of RAAC in their homes—homes that were, in many cases, built by the Council itself and later sold under the UK Government’s Right to Buy scheme.

💥 A Crisis Mishandled

In the letter, I made it unequivocally clear that the Council’s current proposals—rushed and lacking in transparency—risk pushing vulnerable homeowners into bankruptcy, homelessness, or both.

Residents, many of whom are elderly, live with disabilities, or are financially stretched, have been left without any legal or financial certainty. Their questions remain unanswered, their concerns sidelined, and their voices diminished in a process that feels more like a strategic withdrawal of responsibility than a genuine attempt at support.

❌ The Loan Scheme: “A Financial Ambush”

The Council's proposal to offer loans for structural repairs was roundly criticised in the letter. Key financial terms remain undisclosed, including:

Interest rates;
Length of loan terms;
Legal costs;
The impact on owners with little or no equity;
Whether "missed share" options would be offered in place of shared equity.

Without this information, I wrote, the proposal is “a financial ambush.”

⏳ Unrealistic Deadlines for Life-Altering Decisions

Aberdeen City Council has insisted that decisions be made by the end of June—a deadline that passed with homeowners still unclear about the most basic details. For many families, including my own, this was wholly unworkable. My daughter, for example, only returns from a university placement abroad in August, making any family decision on our home impossible before then.

I have urged the Council to extend the decision deadline, allowing homeowners adequate time for legal advice, family consultation, and due consideration of life-changing proposals.

🏗️ Excluded from Contractor Decisions

It is shocking that homeowners—who often own a majority share of their buildings—have not been allowed to meet contractors or secure alternative quotes. This exclusion violates the principles of partnership and denies residents the chance to seek cost-saving solutions or to assess the viability and quality of the proposed works.

No timeline for construction has been provided, nor estimates of legal costs. These basic omissions only deepen mistrust.

🔁 Swap Scheme – A Hollow Offer?

While the Council’s swap scheme reflects a concept I previously recommended, the execution is entirely lacking in substance. There has been:

No disclosure of available swap properties;
No description of their condition;
No assurance of their suitability for displaced homeowners.

It appears the Council is simply trying to test interest before developing viable alternatives—a misleading and insensitive approach to desperate residents.

⚖️ Comparison with Tillicoultry – A Tale of Two Councils

In stark contrast, Clackmannanshire Council—after extensive resident engagement—agreed to include a contractual guarantee that homeowners would benefit from any future Scottish or UK Government grant schemes. I requested this in both cases.

Aberdeen City Council has effectively adopted a model I originally proposed, albeit in a far more aggressive and punitive form. Crucially, they have omitted a key safeguard — a contractual guarantee that homeowners would benefit from any future RAAC-related grants. I have now formally requested an explanation for the exclusion of this provision, particularly in light of growing national concern and active political lobbying for government-funded support.

🏚️ A Crisis the Council Helped Create

This disaster is not the fault of residents. These homes were built by local authorities—often with substandard materials and poor long-term oversight—and later sold on to unsuspecting families through Right to Buy.

Now, many are left paying mortgages on uninhabitable rubble, unable to remortgage, resell, or rebuild their lives. The Council’s current offer of a £5,000 “making good” grant and 10% home loss payment (in some cases only) is insultingly insufficient and fails to account for the emotional, financial, and practical devastation caused.

📜 Nine Key Demands

To restore trust and make the process fair and workable, I have requested the following:

Full financial disclosure of any proposed loan arrangements;
An extension to the consultation deadline;
A meeting between homeowners and proposed contractors;
An explanation for the exclusion of alternative contractor quotes;
A full inventory of swap properties, including condition and availability;
Clarity on missed share or equity alternatives;
A clear position on whether the Council will issue Compulsory Purchase Orders;
Details on whether a public inquiry would be triggered by such a CPO;
Transparent communication around all available appeal or complaint mechanisms.

📢 Time for Accountability

I have warned Aberdeen City Council that if these concerns are not urgently addressed, the matter will be escalated to national media, political representatives, and regulatory bodies.

This is not a technical problem; it is a human crisis. And Aberdeen City Council must now choose whether it will stand with its residents—or abandon them to a fate of dispossession and debt.

✊ Join the Movement

The UK RAAC Campaign Group is committed to advocating for justice, safety, and transparency for all those affected by the RAAC crisis.

📧 If you're a homeowner affected by RAAC or want to support the campaign, get in touch.
📝 Sign up for updates and upcoming briefings by emailing wilson@aasecurity.co.uk
📣 Share this blog to raise awareness.