Lee Anderson: Why is the Tory MP and GB News host being accused of Islamophobia?

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MP Lee Anderson has been suspended from the Conservative Party following controversial feedback on GB News which have been branded Islamophobic and racist.

Mr Anderson, who is paid £100,000 a yr to be host on the TV channel, stated on Friday: “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.”

“People are just turning up in their thousands, and doing anything they want, and they are laughing at our police. This stems with Khan, he’s actually given our capital city away to his mates.”

The feedback had been made throughout a dialogue about pro-Palestine protests which were going down in central London since the October 7 Hamas assaults on Israel and subsequent Israeli invasion of Gaza.

What has the criticism towards Lee Anderson been?

In response to Mr Anderson’s feedback, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan referred to as the feedback “Islamophobic, anti-Muslim, and racist,” including that “these comments pour fuel on the fire of anti-Muslim hatred.”

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) likewise slammed Mr Anderson’s feedback for “endorsing common talking points that peddle conspiracy theories and Islamophobic tropes of alleged Muslim takeovers of our country.”

“Former Deputy Chair, Lee Anderson’s claim that the Islamists have taken charge of London and of the Mayor is a disgusting slur that has no place in our public life.”

Rishi Sunak, after sustained criticism for inaction, suspended Mr Anderson from the Conservative Party on 25 February, two days after his feedback had been made.

The prime minister later criticised Mr Anderson’s feedback, however stopped quick of calling them Islamophobic or racist: “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,” he added. “I think it’s incumbent on all of us to choose them carefully”.

The MCB welcomed Mr Anderson’s suspension, however argued that extra must be achieved: “The Conservative Party has an Islamophobia problem. They need to own up to it.”

Speaking on Monday, Keir Starmer stated that the PM “lacks the backbone to call this out for what it is”.

“I think this is straightforward. It’s Islamophobia and the Prime Minister should call it out for what it is,” the Labour chief added. “The reason he won’t is because he is so weak”.

In his personal defence, now-independent MP Lee Anderson shared a press release by way of GB News: “When you think you are right you should never apologise because to do so would be a sign of weakness. My words may have been clumsy but my words were borne out of sheer frustration at what is happening to our beautiful capital city.”

Mr Anderson has indicated that he intends to run once more in his seat of Ashfield whether or not a Conservative social gathering member or not. He has additionally refused to rule out whether or not he may now be part of right-wing Reform UK social gathering, saying that he’s “been on a political journey”.