TORY LEADERSHIP contender Rishi Sunak’s plans to criminalise people who “vilify Britain” may be targeted at black communities who discuss slavery and colonialism, experts say.

The former Chancellor was widely criticised after suggesting the government’s controversial deradicalisation programme Prevent should be extended to those who “are vocal in their hatred of our country.”

People who demand reparations and talk about the evils of enslavement have frequently been accused of hating Britain in the mainstream media.

Ex-London school teacher James Paul said: “If the policy were ever to see the light of day, there’s a possibility that black and minority ethnic young people might be disproportionately targeted for their views.

“As a former teacher this concerns me as schools should be a place where young people are free to form and express their views without the potential of themselves or their families ending up on a government watch list.”

Sunak got into more hot water today after a video emerged of him boasting that as Chancellor he took money away from “deprived urban areas” to help wealthy towns.

Commentators said the phrase deprived urban areas was code for black and Asian communities.

The New Statesman magazine revealed that people who live in a Conservative-held seat got £64 more from government levelling-up funds than constituencies with a Labour MP.

In March, The Voice revealed that Sunak had once again failed to publish the Equality Impact Assessment into his budget, as required under the 2010 Equality Act.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission watchdog had criticised the Treasury for not considering the cumulative impact of successive budget decisions on disadvantaged groups, like black communities.

Last week, Sunak vowed to “review” the Equality Act, raising fears that he would abolish it.

Adviser to former London Mayor Ken Livingstone, Lee Jasper, speaking about Sunak’s Prevent plans, said: “This policy is yet another dangerous extension of a controversial and discriminatory policy that seeks to further politicise the police. 

“Democratic peaceful political protest is being criminalised by this government in an attempt to demonize certain sections of society. 

“This is bad enough but Sunak’s plan, when viewed in the context of a policing bill which gives the police unprecedented powers, will see the amplification of institutional racism.  Those who support anti-discriminatory civil rights need to mobilise in defence of these rights like never before.”

This week, former Chief Constable of Greater Manchester police, and counter-terror expert Peter Fahy, indicated as much, saying: “The widening of Prevent could damage its credibility and reputation. It makes it more about people’s thoughts and opinions. It is straying into thought crimes and political opinions. Political opposition is not where police should be, it is those who pose a serious threat and risk of violence, not those opposed to political systems.”

Sunak was silent on whether expanding Prevent would lead to a greater focus on white extremism, which has in recent years been acknowledged as Britain’s fastest growing form of domestic terrorism.