NEW DELHI: Britain’s ruling conservative suspended their former deputy chairman Lee Anderson from the parliamentary party on Saturday after he said the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, was under the control of Islamists.
Khan, the first Muslim mayor of London and a member of the opposition Labour Party, is often criticized by Conservatives for his management of policing in the capital, as well as for his support of pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
In an interview with a television channel on Friday, Anderson said “I don’t believe that Islamists have taken control of our country. However, I do believe that they have influence over Khan and London. He has essentially handed over our capital city to his associates.”
Khan, who frequently emphasizes the need to combat antisemitism, misogyny, and homophobia, expressed to reporters that he viewed Anderson’s remarks as both racist and Islamophobic. He added that such comments would “pour fuel on the fire of anti-Muslim hatred”.
Amid growing criticism of Anderson’s remarks on Saturday, the Conservative Party said it had decided he could no longer represent them in parliament.
“Following his refusal to apologise for comments made yesterday, the Chief Whip has suspended the Conservative whip from Lee Anderson MP,” a spokesperson for Simon Hart, the government minister in charge of party discipline, said.
Shortly after, Hart’s office released a statement announcing Anderson’s suspension. The MP had not yet responded to the decision.
Conservative business minister Nus Ghani, senior backbencher Sajid Javid and Tory peer Gavin Barwell were among senior Tory figures to join the complaints, with Barwell calling the comments a “despicable slur”.
The Muslim Council of Britain said they were “disgusting” and extremist.
Anderson will now sit as an independent lawmaker in parliament.
Khan, the first Muslim mayor of London and a member of the opposition Labour Party, is often criticized by Conservatives for his management of policing in the capital, as well as for his support of pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
In an interview with a television channel on Friday, Anderson said “I don’t believe that Islamists have taken control of our country. However, I do believe that they have influence over Khan and London. He has essentially handed over our capital city to his associates.”
Khan, who frequently emphasizes the need to combat antisemitism, misogyny, and homophobia, expressed to reporters that he viewed Anderson’s remarks as both racist and Islamophobic. He added that such comments would “pour fuel on the fire of anti-Muslim hatred”.
Amid growing criticism of Anderson’s remarks on Saturday, the Conservative Party said it had decided he could no longer represent them in parliament.
“Following his refusal to apologise for comments made yesterday, the Chief Whip has suspended the Conservative whip from Lee Anderson MP,” a spokesperson for Simon Hart, the government minister in charge of party discipline, said.
Shortly after, Hart’s office released a statement announcing Anderson’s suspension. The MP had not yet responded to the decision.
Conservative business minister Nus Ghani, senior backbencher Sajid Javid and Tory peer Gavin Barwell were among senior Tory figures to join the complaints, with Barwell calling the comments a “despicable slur”.
The Muslim Council of Britain said they were “disgusting” and extremist.
Anderson will now sit as an independent lawmaker in parliament.