The government of Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed its intention to continue a policy of non-engagement with the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), a stance inherited from previous administrations. This policy effectively bars government officials from formal meetings or cooperation with the organization.

An investigation by Middle East Eye (MEE) suggests that while the policy is frequently cited by government officials, there may be no formal written record of its existence. According to MEE, inquiries made to relevant government departments regarding the policy’s origin and official status yielded no documentation. The report indicates that no specific department has claimed ownership or responsibility for the creation of the policy, leading to questions about whether it is an established administrative rule or an informal practice that has persisted through successive governments.

While the government maintains that it is adhering to a pre-existing policy, the lack of transparency regarding the policy's origins has prompted scrutiny. The MCB has long been a significant representative body for British Muslims, and the ongoing refusal of the government to engage with them remains a point of contention in UK domestic policy. The government has not yet provided a public response to the claims that the policy lacks a formal written basis.