Conservative MP suspended after using Islamophobic remarks in the UK
In the UK, the party membership of Conservative MP Lee Anderson has been suspended after he was accused of Islamophobia for his remarks regarding London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
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According to a statement from the office of Conservative Party Chief Whip Simon Hart, Anderson's membership was suspended due to the remarks he made and his subsequent refusal to apologize.
MEMBERSHIP SUSPENDED
In an interview, Anderson said of London Mayor Khan, "I don't actually believe that the Islamists have got control of our country, but I think they've got control of Khan and they've got control of London. (Khan) has given our capital city away to his mates." Anderson stated that he accepted the decision to suspend his membership with understanding.
Evaluating Anderson's remarks, Khan stated that these words poured gasoline on the rising anti-Muslim hatred in the country and criticized Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for not making a statement regarding Anderson.
Khan said, "The deafening silence from Sunak and his cabinet is condoning this racism. It confirms to many people across the country that there is a hierarchy when it comes to racism."
Explaining that he could not understand why Sunak and his ministers did not condemn the remarks, Khan said, "They are complicit in this kind of racism," and emphasized that this situation sends a message that anti-Muslim rhetoric can be used easily and hate crimes can be committed comfortably.
In a statement from the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), it was noted that they welcomed the decision to suspend Anderson's party membership, adding, "The Conservative Party has an Islamophobia problem. They need to acknowledge this now."
Anderson had resigned from his post as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, a position he held until January, because he did not support the plan to send irregular migrants to Rwanda.