Farage Decries DWP ‘Sharia Law Administrator’ Job Listing as Threat to British Values

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Nigel Farage has publicly condemned a job advertisement for a “Sharia law administrator” published via the Department for Work and Pensions’ job portal, warning the listing undermines UK legal sovereignty and national values.

Farage claimed the advert, for a role at the Manchester Shariah Council, represented a fundamental error, suggesting that the UK government was tacitly endorsing an alternative legal system. He warned: “Our country and its values are being destroyed,” framing the role as a direct affront to British legal traditions.

Critics, including senior figures in the Conservative and Reform UK parties, echoed his concerns, declaring that only one legal framework should exist in Britain, and that Sharia courts have no formal standing under UK law. Conservative spokespeople argued that even the perception of legitimacy being granted to parallel religious courts risked eroding public confidence in the justice system.

Those defending the listing clarified that the job is being run by a private charity rather than the DWP itself. The Manchester Shariah Council is described as an independent Community Interest Company (CIC), providing guidance primarily in matrimonial disputes for British Muslims. The organisation relies on the job portal solely to reach potential candidates, with no formal state endorsement implied.

Rupert Lowe MP sharply criticised the reaction, arguing that the furor misrepresented the facts. Lowe clarified that Sharia councils, similar in function to religious tribunals in other faith communities, offer advice rather than judicial rulings. He stressed that these forums are entirely voluntary, have no legal authority and operate alongside, not within, the established legal system. Lowe accused detractors of fuelling division with misinformation.

Nonetheless, the controversy has reignited debates about religious accommodation and the boundaries of multiculturalism in the UK. For some observers, the episode underscores public anxiety over the perceived encroachment of foreign legal customs. The government has not altered its official rule: only UK law holds legal weight, and no avenue exists for Sharia-based decisions to override statutory or case law. Home Office and DWP officials have likewise reaffirmed that job postings hosted via government-run platforms do not equate to policy positions.

Labour leaders took a cautious tone, acknowledging the sensitivities while insisting there remains no official recognition of religious courts. Reform UK and Conservative officials used the moment to press for clarity in vetting and the display of job listings on government sites.

Whether the incident will prompt changes to portal guidelines remains unclear. Still, the debate offers a preview of growing scrutiny over how official channels navigate religious pluralism, citizenship, and the integrity of the UK’s legal system.