GB News Tonight investigation: Sharia Britain exposed

Sharia Britain exposed: Marriage without ‘spoken consent’ from virgins, gender-based inheritance and favourable divorce proceedings for men.

A GB News Tonight exclusive investigation has unearthed controversial Sharia-based legal services, raising fresh concerns about social cohesion and the growth of a parallel pseudo-legal system in the British capital.

Sharia listings and websites reviewed by GB News advertised a range of services rooted in Islamic jurisprudence, including marriage contracts, divorce proceedings and inheritance arrangements.

Although it remains unclear how many Sharia-based services exist in the UK, the evidence suggests there are at least five operating across London alone.

GB News has found examples of what critics describe as ‘deeply unequal’ and ‘misogynistic’ practices being openly promoted online.

The Islamic Sharia Council – which describes itself as the first Sharia council established in Europe and the Americas – sets out starkly different processes for divorce depending on whether the applicant is a man or a woman.

Under its guidance on divorce when initiated by a man (talaq), the council states a husband “may divorce her either verbally or in writing” with “the decision ultimately” resting with him alone.

By contrast, a woman seeking divorce (khul’a) must apply to a council and “attach the main reasons” for her request. The process requires her husband to be contacted and given opportunities to respond and may involve mediation or escalation to a panel of scholars.

Mediation, while merely “recommended” in cases initiated by men, is described as “integral” in cases brought by women. Guidance warns that cases may be delayed or even closed if the wife does not engage with the process.

The Alazhari Center London describes itself as an Islamic centre and advertises Islamic marriage contracts which it says comply with Sharia law. While its guidance states that a bride’s consent is a prerequisite for marriage, it is far from clear how that consent is meaningfully established in practice.

For example, it suggests that explicit spoken consent from the bride is only required if she is a “non-virgin”. It goes on to state that where a bride is a virgin, her silence is “considered as implicit agreement” which raises questions about whether genuine, freely given consent is being properly recognised at all.

While Sharia councils and similar bodies operate outside the UK’s legal framework, and require consent from both parties, critics have warned there is a lack of protection for those who may not be aware of their rights under British law.

The findings were described as “despicable” and “unacceptable” by Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, who told GB News they “raise urgent questions about whether these courts should be allowed to operate at all in the UK.”

“There should only be one rule of law – but Sharia councils are fostering a parallel legal system in this country that blatantly discriminates against women, especially in divorce proceedings as highlighted in this report,” he said.

“Anyone who wants to live in this country must abide by our laws.”

Reform UK’s Education and Equality spokesman Suella Braverman said the investigation “exposes a deeply troubling reality that practices operating under Sharia law in Britain treat women as second-class citizens – something that has no place in Britain.”

“Practices where a woman’s silence is taken as consent, or where men hold disproportionate power over divorce and inheritance, are fundamentally incompatible with British law and values.”

Fadi Farhat, Senior Legal Officer at Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors, told GB News:

“There are an estimated 90 other Sharia councils or bodies which operate in the UK and these bodies are not recognised by the law. Whilst their existence does not break the law, their decisions are not binding and cannot be enforced in any way.”

“Whether this point is known to individuals or whether individuals have an awareness of this is not known. Therefore, there needs to be greater awareness that the decisions of many of these bodies are not binding and cannot be enforced in any way if a party decides to ignore it or change his/her mind.”

The Government has previously faced calls to investigate the role and reach of Sharia councils, amid concerns about transparency, accountability and the protection of vulnerable women.

GB News has approached the organisations named for comment.

A Government spokesperson said: “There is one law for all in the UK and Sharia law has no jurisdiction.

“This government is committed to tackling all forms of abuse and violence against women and girls, while ensuring our legal system is fair for everyone.”