Rishi Sunak slams Lee Anderson’s ‘unacceptable’ remarks that sparked ‘Islamophobic’ row after kicking MP out
RISHI Sunak has slammed Lee Anderson's comments as "not acceptable" and "wrong" as he denied the Tory Party has Islamophobic tendencies.
The Prime Minister also dismissed a potential voter backlash in the Red Wall over his sacking of Ashfield MP Mr Anderson.
He told BBC Radio York: "It's important we maintain high standards."
The former deputy party chairman was stripped of the Tory whip on Saturday for failing to apologise after saying London Mayor Sadiq Khan was controlled by “Islamists”.
The comments sparked widespread condemnation from across the political divide including from several senior Tories, such as Tory peer Baroness Warsi and business minister Nus Ghani.
The Prime Minister also attracted criticism for not publicly commenting on the fallout over the weekend, with Mr Khan saying his “silence” amounts to “tacit endorsement” of Islamophobia.
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During a string of regional radio interviews this morning, Mr Sunak was asked whether the Tory Party had "Islamophobic tendencies".
He replied: "No, of course it doesn't. And I think it's incumbent on all of us, especially those elected to Parliament, not to inflame our debates in a way that's harmful to others.
"Lee's comments weren't acceptable. They were wrong, and that's why he's had the whip suspended."
On whether Mr Anderson's suspension could be a blow to his electoral chances, the PM replied: "It’s not about that. I think in a situation like this, it’s important that we maintain high standards. That’s why the whip was suspended."
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Mr Anderson will now sit as an independent unless he defects to another party that chooses to offer him its backing.
It comes as messages seen in a Tory MP WhatsApp group by the Telegraph highlighted fears of a backlash from voters in the Red Wall.
No MP expressed support for Mr Anderson in the group chat but they have suggested it is constituents who have concerns.
Tory MP for Hartlepool Jill Mortimer shared an email from a constituent that read: "Today's news of Lee Anderson's suspension has been the final nail in your party's coffin."
Speaking to the BBC, Tory MP for Southend West, Anna Firth, said she backed Mr Sunak's response to Anderson's comments, saying it was "right for him to lose the whip".
She said she "wouldn't have chosen" the words Mr Anderson used, but that he was "trying to reflect a lot of concern amongst people up and down the country about the emerging pattern we seem to have now of legitimate peaceful protests being hijacked by extremists".
She added: “My great predecessor was stabbed by an Islamic extremist, whilst holding his constituency surgery, for the way he voted in parliament. So I think Lee is trying to reflect a genuine concern.”
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden yesterday left the door open for a possible return to the party,
He said he "certainly would not rule out" the possibility of the Ashfield MP returning from his suspension.
Rumours he could join the Reform Party have been downplayed by its leader Richard Tice who said he had not had any defection talks.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper echoed Mr Dowden's comments, telling Sky News: "I'd like to see him able to contribute to the Conservative Party in the future."
Asked what he needs to say to be welcomed back, the Cabinet Minister said: “I hope he will reflect on what he said and he will retract those comments and apologise…
“But I’m not going to tell the chief whip how to do his job, that’s for him.”
He also declined to say whether Mr Anderson’s remarks were racist despite being pressed repeatedly, reiterating only that they were “wrong” and “not true”.
Meanwhile, Labour chairwoman Anneliese Dodds condemned Mr Anderson’s remarks as “appalling” and said they were “clearly not to do with who Sadiq Khan is, it was a slur that was directed at him because of Islamophobia”.
She said she has written to the Conservative Party chairs seven times over the past three years calling for them to take action against Islamophobia in the party.
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“This isn’t something that popped up five minutes ago, it is a continuing concern,” Ms Dodds told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
In a letter responding to Ms Dodds, Tory Party chairman Richard Holden said: "We have been clear that the Conservative Party is and must always be a place where anyone who supports our values is welcomed and where issues arise we investigate and take action - in this recent case within 24 hours."