The following exchange took place in the House of Commons earlier today:

Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con):  Will the Leader of the House find time for an urgent statement on iEngage, the secretariat of the newly formed all-party parliamentary group on Islamophobia? iEngage has a track record of being aggressively anti-Semitic and homophobic, and has extensive links with terrorism in Tunisia and the middle east. In its capacity as the secretariat, it now has access to the parliamentary estate. Will the Leader of the House raise the issue with the Serjeant at Arms as soon as possible?

Sir George Young:  The Serjeant at Arms will have heard what my hon. Friend has said. As he knows, I announced a few moments ago that there would be debate on all-party parliamentary groups on Monday evening, and it will provide an appropriate forum for him to develop his case.

ENGAGE “has a track record of being aggressively anti-Semitic and homophobic, and has extensive links with terrorism in Tunisia and the middle east”? Has Halfon been taking hallucinogenic drugs? Even Andrew Gilligan would balk at making ludicrous accusations like that. (He prefers weaselly insinuations instead.)

ENGAGE’s admirably restrained response to Halfon can be read here.