Babak Belurs

Senin, 26 Februari 2024

Lee Anderson latest: Conservative MP refuses to apologise for Islamophobic Sadiq Khan comments - The Independent

Sunak condemns Lee Anderson's comments as 'unacceptable' and 'wrong'

Rishi Sunak “lacks the backbone” to call out Lee Anderson’s remarks about London mayor Sadiq Khan as Islamophobic, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The prime minister finally condemned Mr Anderson’s claims that “Islamists” have “got control” of Mr Khan as “wrong”, but refused to say whether they were Islamophobic and insisted the Tory party did not have Islamophobic tendencies.

Meanwhile, Mr Anderson doubled down on his remarks attacking Mr Khan, insisting that apologising would be “a sign of weakness” and accusing the London mayor of “double standards” for failing to call for pro-Palestine protests to be “cancelled”.

As calls mounted for an independent investigation into Tory Islamopobia, peer Barones Warsi accused the government of having “dragged its heels on any work” to tackle racism against Muslims.

And Labour Party chair Anneliese Dodds alleged she had written to Tory party chairs seven times over the past three years calling for them to take action against Islamophobic racism in the party, telling the BBC: “This isn’t something that popped up five minutes ago, it is a continuing concern.”

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What is Islamophobia? Definition of anti-Muslim prejudice as Tories suspend MP over rant

The meaning of the term Islamophobia has come under the spotlight following MP Lee Anderson’s suspension for an anti-Muslim rant about Sadiq Khan.

The former deputy chairman of the Conservative party lost the party whip after failing to apologise over a widely criticised interview on GB News in which he said “Islamists” have “got control” of Mr Khan.

In response, the mayor of London said the comments were Islamophobic, anti-Muslim and racist.

Joe Middleton27 February 2024 06:00

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Watch: Starmer says Sunak 'lacks backbone' to call out Lee Anderson's Islamophobia

Starmer says Sunak 'lacks backbone' to call out Lee Anderson's Islamophobia

Joe Middleton27 February 2024 05:00

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Fury over foreign aid budget being used to train Russia’s future leaders at British universities

Rishi Sunak has been accused of aiding Vladimir Putin’s regime over the government’s plans to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money training up the next generation of Russian leaders.

Britain barred Russians from applying to the Chevening scholarship programme – a fully funded masters degree aimed at “emerging leaders” from all over the world – after Mr Putin invaded Ukraine two years ago.

But, despite the conflict still going on – and Britain ramping up sanctions on Moscow in response to the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny – The Independent can reveal that the scheme has been reopened to applicants from Russia.

Joe Middleton27 February 2024 04:00

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Lee Anderson’s comments about Sadiq Khan ‘unambiguously racist,’ Labour party chair says

Lee Anderson’s comments about Sadiq Khan were “unambiguously racist, Islamophobic, divisive and damaging,” Labour’s party chair has said.

Anneliese Dodds told Sky News on Monday (26 February) 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.

The former Tory deputy chair lost the Conservative whip after failing to apologise for claiming “Islamists” had “got control” of the London mayor and the capital city.

The prime minister “acted when it appeared no apology was going to be forthcoming,” Dodds added.

Lee Anderson’s comments ‘unambiguously racist,’ Labour party chair says

Lee Anderson’s comments about Sadiq Khan were “unambiguously racist, Islamophobic, divisive and damaging,” Labour’s party chair has said. Anneliese Dodds told Sky News on Monday (26 February) 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. The former Tory deputy chair lost the Conservative whip after failing to apologise for claiming “Islamists” had “got control” of the London mayor and the capital city. The prime minister “acted when it appeared no apology was going to be forthcoming,” Dodds added.

Joe Middleton27 February 2024 03:00

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Richard Madeley clashes with Tory minister over Lee Anderson’s comments

Mr Anderson had the Conservative whip removed over the weekend after he claimed that “Islamists” have “got control” of the London mayor.

Mr Madeley asked Mr Harper several times if Mr Anderson’s claims were Islamophobic, but the MP would not give a straight answer.

Mr Madeley asked: “Was it Islamophobic, straight answer, yes or no?

“I am giving you an opportunity to answer a straight question.

“Would you just answer?”

Richard Madeley clashes with Tory minister over Lee Anderson’s comments

Richard Madeley accused Transport Secretary Mark Harper of not answering a “simple” question on whether Lee Anderson’s comments about London Mayor Sadiq Khan were Islamophobic in a heated exchange on Good Morning Britain on Monday (26 February). Mr Anderson had the Conservative whip removed over the weekend after he claimed that “Islamists” have “got control” of the London mayor. Mr Madeley asked Mr Harper several times if Mr Anderson’s claims were Islamophobic, but the MP would not give a straight answer. Mr Madeley asked: “Was it Islamophobic, straight answer, yes or no? “I am giving you an opportunity to answer a straight question. “Would you just answer?”

Joe Middleton27 February 2024 02:00

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Watch: Sunak denies he is ignoring local community over Lincolnshire asylum accommodation

Sunak denies he is ignoring local community over Lincolnshire asylum accommodation

Joe Middleton27 February 2024 01:00

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Speaker refuses to grant second Gaza debate as SNP demands investigation into Labour ‘dirty tricks’

The speaker has refused to grant the SNP a second debate on a humanitarian ceasefire as the party demanded an investigation into the chaos surrounding the Gaza ceasefire vote last week.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle has said he won’t allow a requested emergency debate on Gaza because the government will bring forward a “relevant statement” tomorrow.

The SNP walked out of the chamber in fury last week after Sir Lindsay selected a Labour amendment to their opposition debate calling for a humanitarian ceasefire.

Joe Middleton26 February 2024 23:59

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Has Labour’s Rochdale debacle gifted George Galloway an open goal?

What was set to be a straightforward contest to replace the late Labour MP Tony Lloyd, who died of blood cancer aged 73, has been mired by a series of scandals. Archie Mitchell asks how we got here, and what will happen next

Joe Middleton26 February 2024 23:00

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Watch: Minister refuses seven times to say Lee Anderson's anti-Muslim rant was racist

Minister refuses seven times to say Lee Anderson's anti-Muslim rant was racist

Joe Middleton26 February 2024 22:00

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ICYMI: Muslim group demands Tories investigate ‘structural Islamophobia’

The UK’s largest Muslim group has written to the Conservative Party demanding an investigation into claims of “structural Islamophobia” within its ranks.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said it addressed a letter to Conservative chair, Richard Holden, on Sunday after what it alleged was “a week of inflammatory statements and Islamophobia from senior figures in the party”.

The body pointed to comments made by the former Tory party deputy chair Lee Anderson, who had the whip suspended after drawing widespread criticism for claiming on Friday that “Islamists” have “got control” of London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Joe Middleton26 February 2024 21:00

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2024-02-27 06:06:57Z
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Cat killer who told her lover that strangling random man was 'hot' jailed for murder - The Independent

A woman who live-streamed the dissection and killing of a cat has been jailed for life for murdering an innocent man by drowning him in a river.

Scarlet Blake, 26, walked the streets of Oxford looking for a victim until she encountered Jorge Martin Carreno, 30, during the early hours of 26 July 2021.

She persuaded him to accompany her to the secluded Parson’s Pleasure area, where she is believed to have hit him with an object, strangled him until he lost consciousness and then drowned him in the River Cherwell.

Jurors heard that Blake had a “fixation with violence and with knowing what it would be like to kill someone”, and received sexual gratification from the thought of death. After murdering Carreno, she told a new partner that she had done so because “my lover said it would be hot”.

Blake had a fixation with violence and death and had previously dissected a cat in a live-streamed video

(Thames Valley Police/PA)

Just four months previously, she had live-streamed the horrific killing of a cat in a homage to the Netflix documentary Don’t F*** with Cats. After luring her neighbour’s pet with food and a crate, she dissected the animal, removing its fur and skin before placing its body in a blender.

During the video, the New Order song True Faith can be heard playing in the background while Blake can be heard saying: “Here we go my little friend. Oh boy, you smell like s***. I can’t wait to put you through the blender.”

She later kept its heart as a memento and posed with the animal’s severed head.

At the time, Blake had been in an online relationship with a woman, Ashlynn Bell, in the US, with the two frequently discussing gore, murder and strangulation together.

The court heard that Blake confessed her actions to Ms Bell, but told jurors in her evidence that she had carried out her violent actions to please her partner, who had wanted her to kill someone.

Carreno was approached by Blake after a night out in Oxford

(Thames Valley Police/PA)

Jurors were shown videos of the defendant and Ms Bell engaging in consensual strangulation, with Blake tightening a ligature to the point her partner appeared to fall unconscious.

For two years, Carreno’s fate was unknown despite CCTV appeals to identify Blake, until Ms Bell contacted Thames Valley Police in April 2023.

The Spanish national had been out socialising with work colleagues at a local pub and had been walking home when he encountered Blake, who offered him her bottle of vodka.

She had been wandering around the city’s streets and was seen on CCTV sizing up potential victims before settling on Carreno, who was slighter in stature and more vulnerable after consuming alcohol.

Dressed in a heavy military-style jacket with a facemask, prosecutors suggested that she was carrying a “murder kit” in her rucksack, which consisted of a homemade garrote and a leopard print dressing gown chord.

Jurors were shown texts between Blake and Bell which showed their fixation with death and violence

(Thames Valley Police )

She told jurors that she had walked with Carreno to the secluded riverside area and left him there alive to go home, claiming she had no knowledge of how he died.

However, suggestions that he may have killed himself were rejected by his family and friends while a Home Office pathologist said he did not believe the BMW worker died accidentally.

It later emerged that Blake had spoken about her desire to kill in Parson’s Pleasure as she knew it was “unseen and undisturbed” and had returned to the crime scene at least twice to take pictures to keep as mementos.

“The taking of these photographs showed a profound contempt for the suffering of Jorge’s family and loved ones,” the judge said. “You were completely indifferent to this suffering.”

Pixelated image of Blake posing with the severed head of the cat

(Thames Valley Police/PA)

During her evidence, Blake claimed she had a fragmented personality, which included being a cat, and meowed at the jury to show how she would interact with friends.

She also claimed that it was Ms Bell who had wanted her to kill a human after making her live-stream the killing of the animal.

Having moved to the UK from China when she was nine years old, Blake transitioned at the age of 12 and told the court she had a difficult relationship with her parents.

Accusing her of seeking to blame others for the murder, Mr Justice Chamberlain said this was part of an “elaborate attempt to rationalise what you had done”.

Blake has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years

(Thames Valley Police/PA)

“It is not the fault of a society that didn’t accept you, it it not the fault of your parents,” he said. “Whatever role Ashlynn Bell may have played in encouraging your interest in killing, she remained in the US.

“She did not control or direct you. Even if the decision was motivated in part by a desire to please her, the decision to kill was entirely yours.”

He added that there had been a “clear sexual motivation” for the killing, and that Blake had used her status as a murderer to secure the admiration of others who shared her interests in violence.

She had denied murder but was found guilty after six hours of deliberations and has now been jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years.

Mr Justice Chamberlain said: “Your decision to kill Jorge was not a reaction to something he had said or done. It was not a momentary mistake, It was not a decision made in anger or your emotions overcame you.

“It was a culmination of a plan you had been considering and formulating for months before and after 25 July as you showed an obsession with harm and death.”

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2024-02-27 04:49:09Z
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Rishi Sunak condemns Lee Anderson's comments as 'wrong' - as suspended MP says his words were 'clumsy' - Sky News

Rishi Sunak has condemned Lee Anderson's attack on Sadiq Khan as unacceptable and "wrong" - as the suspended MP said his words were "clumsy" and "borne out of sheer frustration".

Mr Anderson, the Conservative MP for Ashfield and former deputy party chair, was suspended at the weekend after he refused to apologise for claiming "Islamists" had got "control" over London and that Mr Khan had "given our capital city away to his mates".

Speaking on BBC Radio York, the prime minister denied the Tory party has "Islamophobic tendencies" and said: "Lee's comments weren't acceptable, they were wrong. That's why he's had the whip suspended."

"Words matter, especially in the current environment where tensions are running high. I think it's incumbent on all of us to choose them carefully."

Politics latest: Tories label MP's suspension 'final nail in the party's coffin'

Mr Sunak's statement to local radio was the first time he has directly addressed the comments made by Mr Anderson, who told GB News last week: "I don't actually believe that the Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is they've got control of Khan and they've got control of London... He's actually given our capital city away to his mates."

His comments sparked condemnation from across the political divide, including from Tory peer Baroness Warsi, who said she was "really disturbed by where the Conservative Party has gone" and that "anti-Muslim racism is being used as an electoral campaign tool".

In a fresh statement published by GB News on Monday, Mr Anderson said his words were "clumsy" and "borne out of sheer frustration at what is happening to our beautiful capital city".

However, he doubled down on his refusal to apologise, saying: "If you are wrong, apologising is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.

"But when you think you are right you should never apologise because to do so would be a sign of weakness."

He said: "Seeing the words 'From the river to the sea' on Elizabeth Tower made me feel sick to the pit of my stomach."

Repeating his opposition to the mayor, he said: "Khan has stood by and allowed our police to turn a blind eye to the disgusting scenes around parliament.

"It is not my intention to upset anyone, I believe in free speech and have 100% respect for people of all backgrounds.

"The vast majority of Muslims are not Islamists in the same way the vast majority of Christians are not conservatives or socialists.

"My words may have been clumsy but my words were borne out of sheer frustration at what is happening to our beautiful capital city.

"We've got to get Khan out at the elections in May."

He added: "Sadiq Khan is failing London across the board. On transport with ULEZ and the strikes which he pledged to end. On knife crime and violence against women and girls. The list is endless.

"He's more interested in virtue signalling to his trendy lefty mates by renaming train lines and street signs at a cost of millions of pounds rather than in delivering for our capital city which should be the greatest city on Earth."

Mr Anderson's statement, published by GB News, was drawn up on Saturday, shortly after he made his provocative comments to the channel.

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However, it was not released because of Mr Anderson's refusal to apologise to the London mayor as requested by Tory chief whip Simon Hart.

Mr Sunak said it was "incumbent on all of us, especially those elected to parliament, not to inflame our debates in a way that's harmful to others".

"Words matter, especially in the current environment where tensions are running high and I think it's incumbent on all of us to choose them carefully, he said.

Elsewhere in his interview with local radio, Mr Sunak rejected suggestions his party had a problem with Islamophobia.

Rishi Sunk has tried to draw a line under Lee Anderson - but the row could run on

Tamara Cohen

Political correspondent

@tamcohen

Rishi Sunak this morning tried to close down a row over suspended Tory MP Lee Anderson, describing his comments as "wrong" and saying MPs shouldn't "inflame our debates in a way that's harmful to others".

Mr Anderson – the often controversial MP, who was a surprise pick as the party's deputy chairman last year – claimed on GB News last week that "Islamists" had "got control" of Labour mayor Sadiq Khan.

The prime minister today went further than his deputy, Oliver Dowden, over the weekend - but would not say whether he thought the remarks were racist, as Mr Khan himself and some Tories have.

It's an attempt to draw a line under the row, allowing his colleagues to claim Mr Sunak acted "decisively".

But there are several reasons this could run and run.

One is that Mr Sunak has touched on one of his party's fault lines, with some 2019 MPs defending Mr Anderson in their WhatsApp groups - although other senior figures are horrified.

Mr Anderson himself, who could have avoided suspension by apologising, could stoke it further – he is already tweeting about people's support for him, and has a TV platform to make further noise.

Mr Sunak has been trying in recent days to make a point about protests that are "hijacked by extremists" who he says are undermining democracy by intimidation.

Tory sources admit Mr Anderson's comments are particularly unhelpful in this context. With another vote on Gaza on the cards, tensions will be running high on all sides.

The prime minister said it was "not a fair characterisation at all" to argue he had taken a tough stance on antisemitism but had overlooked Islamophobia in his party - saying racism or prejudice "any kind" was "completely unacceptable" and "not British".

Earlier today, a cabinet minister appeared to leave the door open to Mr Anderson regaining the Tory whip, which allows him to sit as a Conservative MP in the Commons.

Asked what Mr Anderson needed to say to be welcomed back, Transport Secretary Mark Harper told Kay Burley on Sky News he should "reflect on what he said" and "retract those comments and apologise".

"He's contributed a lot in the past. I'd like to see him be able to contribute to the Conservative Party in the future," he said.

While a number of senior Tories have criticised Mr Anderson for his comments, Mr Harper was the second cabinet minister to refuse to say whether the remarks were "racist".

Yesterday, Mr Dowden backed the decision to suspend the Ashfield MP but refused to say whether he was racist.

WhatsApp messages leaked to Sky News reveal some Tory MPs regard Mr Anderson's suspension as a mistake.

The WhatsApp forum is called the "109 group" of Tory MPs elected in 2019.

Jill Mortimer, the Conservative MP for Hartlepool, shared messages from constituents saying they would not vote Tory again and that "Lee Anderson's suspension is the final nail in the party's coffin".

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2024-02-26 12:31:48Z
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Elderly man and woman found dead in Rochdale house named - Manchester Evening News

The man and woman were found dead by police in a home in Rochdale have been named as Carol and Brian Makin. The pair were discovered when a worried neighbour made a concern for welfare call on Thursday (February 22).

Emergency services had to force their way into a property at The Woods, near Castleton Moor, and found two people aged in their 70s lying dead inside. Forensics, paramedics, fire crews and officials from gas distribution company Cadent descended onto the scene.

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Their cause of their death has not yet been confirmed. GMP remained outside the detached house on the quiet cul-de-sac for a number of days.

Following the double tragedy, one stunned resident said: “We don’t really know the family but they’re an elderly couple. A really nice couple. It’s just two of them. I just moved here a year ago and it’s really weird to see that on your doorstep."

Another neighbour told the M.E.N: “It’s an elderly couple who live there and I don’t get to see them that often, we just wave when we’re going out.”

Another described the scene as they returned home from work, adding: “All I know is that I came home and saw lots of police. I know that a couple live there and I know that they’re elderly. I don’t know what happened but it looks pretty serious.”

Rochdale Coroner's Court confirmed it had received a file from Greater Manchester Police in relation to the deaths.

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2024-02-26 11:06:00Z
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Sunak says Anderson comments 'wrong' but denies party has 'Islamophobic tendencies' - The Independent

Rishi Sunak has said offensive comments by former deputy chairman Lee Anderson are ‘wrong’ but has denied the Conservative party has “Islamophobic tendencies”.

Mr Anderson has faced fierce backlash after he said ‘Islamists’ had control of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and was suspended by the party over the weekend.

When asked if the party has a problem with Islamophobia on Monday morning, the prime minister told the BBC: “Of course it doesn't.”

He added: “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.”

The former deputy chairman’s comments have received condemnation from several senior Conservatives. Sir Robert Buckland, former justice secretary, called Mr Anderson’s comments “repugnant”, while former chairwoman under David Cameron, Baroness Warsi said his comments revealed the “rot at the heart” of the party.

Lee Anderson has faced criticism for comments made on Friday

Over the weekend, deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden refused to say whether the former deputy chairman’s comments were Islamophobic and told BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that Mr Anderson was not "intending to be Islamophobic".

Former Conservative MP, Anna Soubry condemned Mr Downden for his refusal to condemn Mr Anderson’s comments. Talking to Sky News, Ms Soubry said Mr Dowden’s refusal to call the comments Islamophobic was “quite extraordinary”.

“Oliver Dowden, the deputy Prime Minister of our country said if he apologised he would not have lost the whip. I cannot believe the state the Conservative party has got itself into" she added.

The Telegraph has since reported that some Conservative MPs have voiced concerns about the party’s decision to let Mr Anderson go as they said their constitunents have rallied around the former deputy chairman.

Chairwoman of the Labour party Anneliese Dodds 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.

“This isn’t something that popped up five minutes ago, it is a continuing concern”, Ms Dodds said.

She also said that Labour is calling for the government to adopt an official definition of Islamophobia.

Lee Anderson accused Mr Khan of giving the capital ‘away to his mates’

Ms Dodds said Lee Anderson’s remarks about Sadiq Khan were “appalling” and were “clearly not to do with who Sadiq Khan is, it was a slur that was directed at him because of Islamophobia”.

The Muslim Council of Britain has written to the chair of the Conservative Party demanding an investigation into “structural Islamophobia” in the party.

In a letter to Richard Holden, the organisation said it welcomes the removal of the whip from Mr Anderson, but alleged that Islamophobia “persists” in the party.

Zara Mohammed, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “Our view is that the Islamophobia in the [Conservative] Party is institutional, tolerated by the leadership and seen as acceptable by great swathes of the party membership.”

The Conservative Muslim Forum also released a statement condemning the remarks made by Mr Anderson, stating:

“The Conservative Party is a natural home for Muslim voters, we cannot let a few individuals ruin the excellent work carried out by our MPs over the last decade.”

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2024-02-26 08:36:31Z
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Lee Anderson's comments against Sadiq Khan 'weren't acceptable, they were wrong', says Rishi Sunak - Sky News

Rishi Sunak has broken his silence to condemn Lee Anderson's attack on Sadiq Khan as not acceptable and "wrong".

Mr Anderson, the MP for Ashfield and former deputy party chair, was suspended at the weekend after he refused to apologise for claiming "Islamists" had got "control" over London and that Mr Khan had "given our capital city away to his mates".

Speaking on BBC Radio York, the prime minister denied that the party has "Islamophobic tendencies" and said: "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."

Asked about Mr Anderson specifically, Mr Sunak said: "Lee's comments weren't acceptable, they were wrong. That's why he's had the whip suspended."

He added: "Words matter, especially in the current environment where tensions are running high. I think it's incumbent on all of us to choose them carefully."

Politics latest: Tory MPs label Lee Anderson suspension the 'final nail in the party's coffin'

His comments sparked condemnation from across the political divide, including from Tory peer Baroness Warsi who said she was "really disturbed by where the Conservative Party has gone" and that "anti-Muslim racism is being used as an electoral campaign tool".

However, a cabinet minister this morning appeared to leave the door open to Mr Anderson regaining the Tory whip, which allows him to sit as a Conservative MP in the Commons.

Asked what Mr Anderson needed to say to be welcomed back, Transport Secretary Mark Harper told Kay Burley on Sky News that he should "reflect on what he said" and "retract those comments and apologise".

"I'm not going to tell the chief whip how to do his job, that's for him," he said.

"He's contributed a lot in the past. I'd like to see him be able to contribute to the Conservative Party in the future."

"I'd like to see him be able to contribute to the Conservative Party in the future."

While a number of senior Tories have criticised Mr Anderson for his comments, Mr Harper was the second cabinet minister to refuse to say whether the remarks were "racist".

Yesterday Mr Dowden backed the decision to suspend the Ashfield MP but refused to say whether he was racist.

And this morning, Mr Harper also repeatedly declined to say whether Mr Anderson's remarks were racist but said they were "untrue" and "wrong".

"Well it was wrong, and I'm not going to get into arguing about the rights and wrongs of what he said.

"Wrong is a very strong word in my book."

Mr Harper also rejected the assertion made by Baroness Warsi yesterday that there is a hierarchy of racism within the party and that anti-Muslim racism is being used as an electoral campaign tool.

"I don't agree with that," he said. "And the fact that we took such robust action so quickly against what Lee Anderson said, I think, rather shows exactly why she's wrong."

Mr Harper's words come as WhatsApp messages leaked to Sky News reveal that some Tory MPs regard Mr Anderson's suspension as a mistake.

The WhatsApp forum is called the "109 group" of Tory MPs elected in 2019.

Julie Marson, the MP for Hertford and Stortford, shared a news story showing Nigel Farage calling on "cancelled" Mr Anderson to join the rivals Reform party and "destroy" the Tories.

On Sunday evening Mr Anderson tweeted a picture of a pint of beer from a London pub with the caption: "So I have just arrived in London and due to all the positive comments earlier I've decided to have another pint to get me ready for a long week."

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Minggu, 25 Februari 2024

Tory minister suggests Lee Anderson could return despite 'repugnant' Sadiq Khan rant - The Independent

The deputy prime minister has refused to rule out Lee Anderson having the Tory whip restored despite a senior Conservative calling Mr Anderson’s remarks “repugnant”.

Oliver Dowden said on Sunday that he “certainly would not rule out” the possibility of Mr Anderson returning from his suspension, which was imposed in response to an anti-Muslim rant on GB News.

But Robert Buckland, the Tory former justice secretary, said Mr Anderson had “crossed a line” and that his comments were “repugnant”.

In an appearance on GB News, Mr Anderson said: “I don’t actually believe that the Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is they’ve got control of [Sadiq] Khan and they’ve got control of London... He’s actually given our capital city away to his mates.”

Lee Anderson has been accused by Sadiq Khan of making Islamophobic comments

A Conservative source initially backed Mr Anderson, but after intense media pressure and the controversial MP’s refusal to apologise, the party suspended him. He will now sit as an independent MP.

Rishi Sunak has so far failed to address Mr Anderson’s comments, made on Friday, or the surging Islamophobia across Britain, despite having spoken publicly about a rise in “prejudice and antisemitism”.

And on Sunday Mr Dowden said Mr Anderson, who was deputy Tory chair until last month, had simply “used the wrong words”.

“I don’t believe that Lee Anderson said those remarks intending to be Islamophobic,” Mr Dowden told the BBC.

Mr Buckland was among several senior Tories who were critical of Mr Anderson’s remarks, telling BBC Radio 4 on Sunday that they were “racist and repugnant”.

“This man has clearly crossed a line,” Mr Buckland added.

Rishi Sunak has so far failed to address Anderson’s comments

Labour said it was “concerned” about Mr Dowden’s suggestion that the Tories could give Mr Anderson the whip back.

Shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth has called on Mr Sunak to confirm that no “deal or undertakings” have been offered that would see Mr Anderson sit as a Tory MP again.

In a letter to the prime minister, Mr Ashworth said: “The removal of the Conservative whip from Lee Anderson was the correct decision after his disgusting racist and Islamophobic remarks aimed at the mayor of London.

“I was so concerned to see your deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden tell GB News this morning that he ‘certainly wouldn’t rule that out’ when asked if Mr Anderson could have the whip returned.

“This extraordinary suggestion comes less than 24 hours after his removal from the Conservative Party and with no apology or retraction having yet been offered. It will inevitably lead to concerns that the withdrawal of the whip was merely a temporary measure taken in response to media criticism, and that the possibility of Mr Anderson being allowed back into the Tory party is being kept on the table.”

He added: “Can you confirm that no deal or undertakings have been offered to Mr Anderson by you or anyone speaking on behalf of the Conservative Party that would see him have the Tory whip returned?”

In a statement on Saturday night, Mr Sunak highlighted “recent” events, including the pro-Palestinian protests that have been held across the country since the 7 October attacks.

“The events of recent weeks are but the latest in an emerging pattern which should not be tolerated,” Mr Sunak said. But Mr Sunak has not yet responded to Mr Anderson’s comments.

Sir Keir Starmer said it was right that Mr Anderson had been suspended from the party over his “appalling racist and Islamophobic outburst”. The Labour leader also challenged Mr Sunak on the wider matter of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party.

“What does it say about the prime minister’s judgement that he made Lee Anderson deputy chairman of his party?” Sir Keir asked.

He added: “Whether it is Liz Truss staying silent on Tommy Robinson or Suella Braverman’s extreme rhetoric, Rishi Sunak’s weakness means Tory MPs can act with impunity.

“This isn’t just embarrassing for the Conservative Party, it emboldens the worst forces in our politics. Rishi Sunak needs to get a grip and take on the extremists in his party.

“The Tories may be getting more and more desperate as the election approaches, but Rishi Sunak has a responsibility to stop this slide into ever more toxic rhetoric.”

Khan condemned the ‘moral rot’ of anti-Muslim hatred in the Conservative Party

It came as Mr Khan condemned the “moral rot” of anti-Muslim hatred in the Conservative Party. The London mayor said Mr Anderson’s “belated” suspension showed that “Muslims are fair game as far as the Conservative Party is concerned”.

On Sunday the Muslim Council of Britain wrote to the chair of the Conservative Party demanding an investigation into “structural Islamophobia” in the party.

In a letter to Richard Holden, the organisation said it welcomes the removal of the whip from Mr Anderson, but alleged that Islamophobia “persists” in the party.

The letter also criticised the Conservatives for removing the whip from Mr Anderson only after he had refused to apologise.

It said: “We note that he [Mr Anderson] was only censured for refusing to apologise, not for making the racist remarks in the first place. We also note that the whip was withdrawn only after there was widespread condemnation across the board, while the prime minister and the rest of the cabinet remained silent.”

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Senin, 26 Februari 2024

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Rishi Sunk has tried to draw a line under Lee Anderson - but the row could run on

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Minggu, 25 Februari 2024

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