London (Parliament Politic Magazine) – Sadiq Khan condemns Lee Anderson’s Islamophobic remarks and accuses Rishi Sunak and the cabinet of complicity in failing to denounce racism.
Sadiq Khan has blamed the former Tory deputy chairman for “pouring fuel on the fire of anti-Muslim hatred” after he stated “Islamists” had “got control” of the London mayor.
Sadiq Khan stated the comments by Lee Anderson were Islamophobic and anti-Muslim – and that the message it transmits is that Muslims are “fair game” when it comes to racism.
He also stated Rishi Sunak and the cabinet were complicit in failing to condemn the controversial remarks.
Talking on GB News this week, Mr. Anderson, an MP for Ashfield, stated the Mayor of London had given the capital “away” to his “mates.” He went on to express that he believes “Islamists” have “control” of Mr. Khan and London. He stated: “Racism is racism; I’m unclear why Rishi Sunak and members of his cabinet aren’t calling this out or condemning this.
In response, Mr. Khan stated: “These comments from a senior Conservative are Islamophobic, are anti-Muslim and are racist. Highlighting the spike in hate crimes, he voiced: “These comments pour fuel on the fire of anti-Muslim hatred.
“I am afraid the deafening silence from Rishi Sunak and the cabinet is them condoning this racism. I am afraid it confirms to many people across the country that there’s a hierarchy when it comes to racism.”
Moreover, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is encountering calls to act against a Conservative Party MP who made ‘divisive and dangerous’ comments about London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Politicians in Westminster have now called on Mr. Sunak to remove the lash from Mr Anderson, meaning he would be removed from the party and would have to sit as an independent in parliament.
Britain’s former chancellor, Sajid Javid, called Mr. Anderson’s remarks “ridiculous” while Labour expressed it was “appalling racism and Islamophobia”.
Tory peer Gavin Barwell, who was Theresa May’s chief of staff in Number 10, explained the comments as a “despicable slur.” The shadow paymaster general, Jonathan Ashworth, also described the remarks as “divisive deluded and dangerous” and would add to the “degradation of British institutions and cultural life on the international stage”.
“It’s time to show some leadership and take on the extremists in your party,” he reported to Mr. Sunak. Jess Philips, a Labour MP, said that the remarks would make Muslim politicians in Britain targets of hate.
“Non-Muslim politicians should take a stand to ensure their colleagues are not alone,” she added in a post on X. “Fair play to Sajid Javid for speaking up. Still, I urge Conservative MPs not just to leave this battle to Conservative MPs of Muslim heritage. It will make them targets for further hate; frankly, they should be shown they are not alone.”
.
Mr Anderson, a former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, joined parliament as MP for Ashfield in 2019. He had earlier been a councilor for the Labour Party before defecting to the Tories in 2018.
Read More: Rishi Sunak criticizes Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle for ‘alarming’ deviation from rules.
Islamophobic incidents in the UK have tripled in more than four months since the attacks on Israel, according to an organization monitoring anti-Muslim sentiment. There were 2,010 cases of anti-Muslim abuse between October 7, 2023, and February 7 this year.