It’s a boring day in the news without an anti-Muslim headline. It has become one of those routine narratives.

But this time British Muslims are being scapegoated for something rather insidious.

British Muslims are allegedly the unequivocal cause in the decline in pub numbers.

No, that wasn’t a typo.

Former Conservative peer, Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts, also a former brewery boss said, “In areas of Nottingham, Leicester, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham the increase in the Muslim population who don’t drink leads to many pub closures.

"It is exceptionally hard for a publican who has put 10 years of his life into trying to build up a business to accept the inevitability of these tides of history.”

If ever there was an example of an agenda.

Clearly Mr Hodgson has not done his research.

First of all, let’s just formally dispel this myth: some Muslims do in fact drink. Fact.

Also, perhaps Mr Hodgson is unaware that according to the Office for National Statistics, 1 in 6 Brits has sworn off alcohol.

Furthermore, what about the fact that supermarkets are selling discounted alcohol which naturally would impact pub attendance. You don’t have to be an economist to figure that one out. Perhaps a Tory peer is incapable of grasping the words ‘economic downturn.’ So how did this become a Muslim thing?

A statement from the Muslim Council of Britain said: “It is surprising and disappointing for Lord Hodgson to scapegoat Muslims for the failure of his business. What next? Muslims to be blamed for a fall in pork scratchings sales?

"We have come to a stage where it is easy for those in prominent positions to make their points at the expense of Muslims. This will only reinforce a perception of bias and disconnect with the wider society of politicians generally, and his party in particular".