Rishi Sunak squirms as Lee Anderson doubles down on Islamophobic rant

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Rishi Sunak was left squirming as he repeatedly refused to sentence as racist Lee Anderson’s widely-condemned rant about Sadiq Khan being managed by “Islamists”.

The prime minister has persistently declined to say whether or not the Tory former deputy chair’s remarks had been Islamophobic or anti-Muslim, saying he was suspended solely as a result of they had been “wrong”.

And, as Mr Anderson doubled down on the controversial rant, the prime minister additionally left the door open for his return to the Tory benches.

Sir Keir Starmer ramped up the stress on the PM, accusing him of “lacking the backbone” to name out Mr Anderson’s “Islamophobia”.

The Labour chief stated Mr Sunak is “too weak” to sentence the previous Tory deputy chairman’s anti-Muslim rant as racist.

And as Mr Anderson stated it will be “a sign of weakness” to apologise, Mr Sunak continued along with his refusal to explain the feedback as Islamophobic.

Appearing on GB News final week, Mr Anderson stated Muslim mayor Mr Khan is managed by “Islamists”.

He was suspended as a Tory MP after refusing to apologise for the comment, however the prime minister has refused to explain it as racist and ministers haven’t dominated out restoring the whip to Mr Anderson.

As the fallout from Mr Anderson’s remarks grew:

Sir Keir stated Mr Sunak “lacks the backbone” to name out “Islamophobia” after the remarks.

The Labour chief stated: “I think this is straightforward. It’s Islamophobia and the prime minister should call it out for what it is.

“The cause he received’t is as a result of he’s so weak.”

He added: “I don’t think anyone can make any excuses for this prime minister and say it’s all too difficult.

“It’s very simple, he lacks the spine to name this out for what it’s as a result of he’s main a divided celebration, a chaotic celebration and it’s no marvel folks have simply had sufficient of this after 14 years, and desperately need change.”

Asked about Mr Anderson’s comments during a visit to East Yorkshire, Mr Sunak said: “I’ve been very clear that what he said was wrong, it was unacceptable, and that’s why we suspended the whip.”

But, pressed on whether he considered Mr Anderson’s remarks Islamophobic, the PM simply said: “I think the most important thing is that the words were wrong, they were ill-judged, they were unacceptable.”

Earlier the PM denied the Conservative party has “Islamophobic tendencies”.

It came as Mr Anderson sought to row back on his comments, but stopped short of offering an apology over the rant.

He said: “If you’re mistaken, apologising just isn’t an indication of weak point however an indication of energy.

“But when you think you are right, you should never apologise because to do so would be a sign of weakness.”

He stated he had made feedback “that some people thought were divisive”.

“Politics is divisive and I am just incredibly frustrated about the abject failures of the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.”

He additionally stated: “My words may have been clumsy but my words were borne out of sheer frustration at what is happening to our beautiful capital city.”

The row erupted final Friday when, discussing pro-Palestinian protests in London, Mr 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… He’s actually given our capital city away to his mates.”

In a slight climbdown from his preliminary outburst, Mr Anderson stated: “The vast majority of our Muslim friends in the UK are decent, hardworking citizens who make an amazing contribution to our society and their religion should not be blamed for the actions of a tiny minority of extremists.”

After calling for the Conservatives to sort out the “moral rot” of anti-Muslim hatred within the celebration, Mr Khan stated it was “remarkable” the PM had didn’t name out “Islamophobia” instantly. The mayor pointed to a press release issued by Mr Sunak which known as out rising incidents of “prejudice and antisemitism”, however uncared for to say anti-Muslim hatred particularly – regardless of a surge since 7 October final yr.

“This speaks volumes,” Mr Khan stated.

Writing within the Evening Standard, Mr Khan added: “It shouldn’t be hard to call out comments that are so unambiguously ignorant, prejudiced and racist. Yet those at the top of the Conservative Government are stubbornly refusing to do so.

“It’s a tacit endorsement of anti-Muslim hatred and can only lead to the conclusion that anti-Muslim bigotry and racism are not taken seriously.”

Senior Tory Tom Tugendhat got here the closest to describing Mr Anderson’s feedback as “anti-Muslim” and suggesting that’s the reason he was suspended from the celebration. The residence workplace minister stated: “The whip was removed immediately because anti-Muslim hatred is wrong.”

Meanwhile a Labour former minister informed MPs she needed to search additional police assist over the weekend resulting from receiving far-right abuse following “racist, Islamophobic, anti-Muslim hate” she stated had been partly inspired by Mr Anderson.

Speaking within the Commons, Dawn Butler stated: “I’ve needed to search additional police assist this weekend as a result of far-right abuse that I’ve suffered impressed and unleashed partly by the conspiracy principle, the racist, Islamophobic, anti-Muslim hate.”

It came as Reform UK appeared to extend an invite for Mr Anderson to join the party after his suspension from the Conservatives.

The former Brexit Party, set up by Nigel Farage, said Mr Anderson speaks “for millions who are appalled by what is happening to our country”.

Richard Tice, who took over from Mr Farage as Reform’s leader, said: “Lee Anderson may have been clumsy in his precise choice of words, but his sentiments are supported by millions of British citizens, including myself.”

It is widely thought Mr Anderson will consider joining Reform to contest his Ashfield seat at the general election. Mr Farage on Saturday called for Mr Anderson to join the party and take on the Tories.

And on Monday Mr Tice added: “Never has Westminster and the craven left-leaning Establishment been so out of touch with ordinary people.

“I don’t and won’t give a operating commentary on any discussions I’ve with any MPs, however these MPs have my quantity.”