Conservative MP Lee Anderson claimed that “Islamists have taken control of London and Mayor Sadiq Khan”.
“He handed over our capital to his comrades,” Anderson told GB News of Khan, the first Muslim mayor of London.
“I don’t actually believe that the Islamists control our country, but what I do believe is that they control Khan and they control London.” Anderson said.
Labor has called on Mr Anderson to lose his Conservative Party whip. Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds said: “Lee Anderson’s comments are clearly racist and Islamophobic.” Rishi Sunak needs to hang up the whip immediately. If he is too weak, people will develop their own views on the modern Conservative Party. ”
Tan Deshi, the shadow export minister, said: “Given the recent surge in Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, and the febrile atmosphere in our country, it is difficult for elected members of parliament to openly engage in such inflammatory and outrageous behavior. It is regrettable that he is able to make statements that invite peace.” This is especially true for Sadiq Khan, who has done so much to promote community cohesion and combat hate crimes. ”
A Conservative Party source said: “In his capacity as London’s PCC, Mr Lee is simply claiming that he has no idea about the horrific Islamist marches that have been seen in London recently.”
Anti-Muslim hatred in the UK has more than tripled in the four months since the Hamas attack, according to a report published this week. The charity Tell Mama recorded 2,010 Islamophobic incidents between October 7 and February 7, compared to 600 in the same period last year.
Liberal Democrat London mayoral candidate Rob Blackie accused Mr Anderson of “spreading dangerous conspiracy theories” and called for him to lose his Conservative Party whip.
The Conservative Party was contacted and asked if it planned to take any action against Anderson.
Mr Anderson, the Conservative MP for Ashfield, was deputy leader of the Conservative Party until mid-January, when he resigned over the government’s vote on the Rwanda expulsion policy.
In the same GB News appearance, Mr Anderson suggested politicians should intervene in police operations because they were not cracking down on pro-Palestinian protesters.
“At the end of the day, we’re running the country, so if the police aren’t doing their job, they need to step in and take over,” Anderson said.
