CLA · On the Record
Carl Abbott
Role: Reform UK Leicestershire county councillor; Cabinet member for Communities and Community Safety
“If the Government are allowing this to be taught in schools, is this not a start of radicalisation of these children?”
What was said
During an internal virtual council briefing on Prevent and counter-terrorism on 5 January 2026, Abbott objected to Muslim prayer being taught in primary schools. He asked whether it would be “a start of radicalisation of these children” and whether crime would increase as they grew up. He also said: “We are a Christian county end of story.”
Abbott was Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet member for Adult Social Care at the time. He is now the Cabinet member for Communities and Community Safety.
Context and response
In the meeting, Abbott contrasted Muslim prayer with Christian hymns and prayer in his own schooling. He said he was voicing concerns brought to him by residents, stated that he personally did not agree with Muslim prayer being taught in schools, and denied being prejudiced or tarring anyone.
Labour councillor Jewel Miah, who was in the meeting, rejected the link between Muslim prayer, radicalisation and crime, and later described the remarks as openly Islamophobic and prejudicial. Conservative opposition leader Deborah Taylor said that linking Muslim prayer with extremism was divisive and incompatible with public office.
A Reform UK spokesperson defended Abbott, saying he was “absolutely correct” that Britain remained a Christian country and framing the comments as concerns about cultural change and immigration.
Evidence trail
- ITV News Central, 8 January 2026 — includes recorded footage from the meeting, Abbott’s words and responses from Reform UK, Labour and the Conservative opposition.
- Local Democracy Reporting Service via Ashby Nub News, 15 January 2026 — provides a corroborating transcript, meeting context, Abbott’s denial of prejudice and the council’s account of the leak investigation.
- Leicestershire County Council — current Cabinet — lists Abbott as Cabinet member for Communities and Community Safety.
Evidence status
Directly attributable recorded speech, independently transcribed and corroborated. The remarks were captured in council meeting footage and reproduced by ITV News and the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Administrative and legal status
This is a record of political speech, not an allegation of a criminal offence. CLA identified no criminal charge, conviction, court judgment, party suspension or council Code of Conduct finding concerning these remarks.
The council investigation reported at the time concerned the unauthorised release of the private meeting footage, not a formal finding on Abbott’s remarks.
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
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