Rishi Sunak has spoken out on Lee Anderson’s suspension, denying that the Tory Party has an Islamophobia problem.
Asked if the Tory Party has “Islamphobic tendencies”, the Prime Minister said: “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.”
The former deputy chairman of the party had the whip suspended after he was accused by London Mayor Sadiq Khan of making Islamophobic remarks.
Anderson had said: “I don’t actually believe that these Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is that they’ve got control of Khan, they’ve got control of London. He’s actually given our capital city away to his mates.”
Announcing his suspension, a spokesperson for Chief Whip Simon Hart said: “Following his refusal to apologise for comments made yesterday, the Chief Whip has suspended the Conservative whip from Lee Anderson MP.”
He added: “Clearly his choice of words wasn’t acceptable, it was wrong. That’s why the whip was suspended.
“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.”
Asked by the BBC if it is “frustrating” that Anderson has not yet apologised for the remarks, Sunak said: “The most important thing is that people realise the words they use in a situation that we’re in now, as tensions are running higher than I think any of us would like, and my priority is to try and take the heat out of this situation and that’s what everyone wants to see.
“And that’s why words matter and his words weren’t acceptable. They were wrong, and that’s why the whip was suspended.”
Khan accused Anderson of making “Islamophobic, racist and anti-Islam” remarks.
He said: “These comments from a senior Conservative are Islamophobic, are anti-Muslim and are racist.
“We’ve seen over the last two days confirmation that over the last few months there’s been an increase in anti Muslim cases by more than 330 per cent.
“These comments pour fuel on the fire of anti-Muslim hatred and I’m afraid the deafening silence from Rishi Sunak and from the cabinet is them condoning this racism.
“And I’m afraid it confirms to many people across the country that there’s a hierarchy when it comes to racism.”
Following his suspension Anderson said: “Following a call with the Chief Whip, I understand the difficult position that I have put both he and the Prime Minister in with regard to my comments.
“I fully accept that they had no option but to suspend the whip in these circumstances.
“However, I will continue to support the Government’s efforts to call out extremism in all its forms – be that anti-semitism or islamophobia.”
