“It’s like they are complicit in this sort of racism."
Rishi Sunak has addressed Lee Anderson’s comments towards Sadiq Khan, saying “weren’t acceptable, they were wrong”.
Mr Anderson, the MP for Ashfield and former deputy party chair, was suspended after he refused to apologise for claiming “Islamists” had got “control” over London and that Mr Khan had “given our capital city away to his mates”.
On GB News, he said: “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.
“He’s actually given our capital city away to his mates.”
His comments sparked outrage with Tory peer Baroness Warsi saying she was “really disturbed by where the Conservative Party has gone” and that “anti-Muslim racism is being used as an electoral campaign tool”.
Mr Khan spoke about Mr Anderson’s comments and criticised the Prime Minister for his silence on the matter:
“These comments from a senior Conservative are Islamophobic, are anti-Muslim and are racist.”
Highlighting the spike in hate crimes, he said:
“These comments pour fuel on the fire of anti-Muslim hatred.
“I am afraid the deafening silence from Rishi Sunak and from 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.
“I am unclear why Rishi Sunak, why members of his cabinet aren’t calling this out and aren’t condemning this.
“It’s like they are complicit in this sort of racism.
“The message it sends is Muslims are fair game when it comes to racism and anti-Muslim hatred.
“It’s not good enough in 2024 in the United Kingdom.”
Breaking his silence on the comments, Rishi Sunak denied that the Conservative Party has “Islamophobic tendencies”
On BBC Radio York, he said:
“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.”
Asked about Mr Anderson specifically, Mr Sunak said:
“Lee’s comments weren’t acceptable, they were wrong. That’s why he’s had the whip suspended.”
“Words matter, especially in the current environment where tensions are running high.
“I think it’s incumbent on all of us to choose them carefully.”
Despite Mr Anderson’s suspension, a cabinet minister appeared to leave the door open to Mr Anderson regaining the Tory whip, which allows him to sit as a Conservative MP in the Commons.
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