A Labour MP has sparked controversy after branding some of her own constituents “racist” over their opposition to a new mosque being built in the Lake District. Michelle Scrogham, who represents Barrow and Furness, made the remarks during a counter-protest outside the site of the £2.5 million South Lakes Islamic Centre in Furness, Cumbria.
The MP said the hostility shown towards the project was unacceptable, warning: “There’s absolutely no place for racism in Cumbria.” Tensions escalated on Saturday when police were called to manage clashes between demonstrators for and against the mosque, which is the first of its kind in the area. Supporters of the Islamic Centre held placards reading “Muslims welcome here,” while opponents waved Union flags and carried signs with messages including “No to the mosque” and “Not racist! Just patriotic!”
Ms Scrogham, who joined the pro-mosque side, condemned what she sought to characterise as a wave of hostile online commentary, reported the Telegraph. She said: “The comments that plague the social media pages constantly don’t represent the people of this area. The people of this area have always been incredibly welcoming.”
She added: “We’ve had immigration on a mass scale for many, many years. Anybody that wants to come here and say you’re not welcome, they’re wrong. It’s just utterly wrong.”
Her remarks have provoked a backlash from some locals, who argue they are being unfairly maligned for voicing legitimate concerns about planning and local infrastructure.
Construction of the South Lakes Islamic Centre began in January after planning permission was granted in December 2022 despite 30 formal objections. Once completed, it will serve the local Muslim population—including an estimated 40 to 50 doctors working at Furness General Hospital—as well as Muslim tourists visiting the Lake District.
Supporters say the new building fills a clear gap in the area, noting that there is no mosque within a 50-mile radius.
Paul Jenkins, who helped organise the counter-protest on behalf of Furness Stand Up To Racism, insisted that the opposition did not reflect the wider community. He said: “The protest against the Islamic Centre does not speak for the majority of people in Dalton or Furness. We celebrate our multicultural, multi-faith community and defend the right of the Islamic Centre to be here.”
One demonstrator, Henry Goodwin, also rejected the idea that opposing the mosque equated to British values. He said: “There are five British values, which include tolerance of other people’s faiths and beliefs. We’re standing up for proper British values.”
However, many of those taking part in the anti-mosque demonstration declined to speak to reporters.
Critics of the development have taken to social media to vent their frustration. One commenter described the building as an “absolute monstrosity” and a “total blot on the landscape.” Another wrote: “How on Earth has this been passed in planning? There goes the beautiful Lake District – with a huge building plonked there.”
Despite the pushback, the plans were approved under local planning laws, and construction is continuing.
The episode has exposed deep divisions in the Furness area, with the mosque becoming a lightning rod for wider debates around immigration, integration, and national identity. Some campaigners say the backlash is being driven by xenophobia, while others insist it is about preserving local character and ensuring planning decisions reflect community interests.
For now, the South Lakes Islamic Centre remains under construction—but its presence is already sending political ripples through one of Britain’s most picturesque regions.