Former Tory MP Lee Anderson has sparked controversy after suggesting that London Mayor Sadiq Khan is controlled by Islamists. Anderson, who was suspended as a Tory MP following his remarks, has refused to apologize for his comments, claiming they were borne out of frustration at Khan’s record. The incident has ignited a heated debate about Islamophobia within the Conservative Party and the role of political leaders in calling out such discrimination.
During a discussion on GB News, Anderson stated, “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, and they’ve got control of Starmer as well.” These remarks were made in response to an article by ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who claimed that “Islamists, extremists, and antisemites are in charge now.”
The controversy surrounding Anderson’s comments has led to a clash between political figures. Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, condemned Anderson’s choice of words but did not explicitly label them as Islamophobic. Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, criticized Prime Minister Boris Johnson for failing to call out Islamophobia within his party, accusing him of lacking “backbone.”
Sadiq Khan himself responded to Anderson’s remarks, stating that they had “poured petrol on the fires of hatred.” He criticized the Conservative government for refusing to condemn such comments and accused them of being ignorant, prejudiced, and racist.
The incident has also reignited discussions about the Conservative Party’s handling of Islamophobia. Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper called on Rishi Sunak to ensure that Anderson is not readmitted to the party. Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds urged the Conservatives to adopt a definition of Islamophobia proposed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims. However, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch argued that the party prefers to use the term “anti-Muslim hatred” and accused Labour of attempting to create a “blasphemy law via the back door.”
The controversy surrounding Anderson’s comments has also raised concerns about the portrayal of certain areas as “no-go zones.” Conservative MP Paul Scully suggested that places like Tower Hamlets in London and Sparkhill in Birmingham had become no-go areas, a statement that was strongly criticized by Birmingham Labour MP Jess Phillips and Conservative West Midlands Mayor Andy Street. Scully later clarified that he was referring to a perception rather than a reality.
The incident involving Lee Anderson has shed light on the issue of Islamophobia within the Conservative Party and the reluctance of some political leaders to address it. It has sparked a debate about the role of politicians in calling out discrimination and promoting inclusivity. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Conservative Party will handle this issue and whether there will be any consequences for Anderson’s remarks.