Lee Anderson branded 'racist' over Sadiq Khan slur as PM urged to kick him out
Rishi Sunak is under pressure to boot Lee Anderson out of the Tory Party after he suggested Sadiq Khan is controlled by Muslim extremists.
Appearing on GB News, the Conservative MP said the London Mayor had "given our capital city away to his mates". "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 added.
Labour accused Mr Anderson of racism and Islamophobia as the party called on the Prime Minister to withdraw the Tory whip.
Tory peer Gavin Barwell, who was Theresa May’s No10 chief of staff, also condemned the “despicable slur” on Mr Khan, who is the first Muslim to be London Mayor. “In his first speech as PM, Rishi Sunak said he would "unite our country". If he allows the likes of Anderson to spread hate and division like this, those words will be revealed as a sham,” Lord Barwell said.
Lee Anderson made his comments about Sadiq Khan on GB NewsAnneliese Dodds, the Chair of the Labour Party, said: “Lee Anderson’s comments are unambiguously racist and Islamophobic. Rishi Sunak needs to immediately remove the whip. If he is too weak, then people will take their own view of the modern Conservative party.”
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Wes Streeting, the Shadow Health Secretary who is MP for Ilford North, said Mr Anderson’s comments were “divisive and dangerous”. “The Conservatives have gone beyond the dogwhistle playbook of previous mayoral elections to outright racism and Islamophobia,” he added. "Enough is enough. Is this really what your Party stands for Rishi Sunak [and] Richard Holden.”
Liberal Democrats Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper said: "These comments from a Conservative MP are despicable. Rishi Sunak should remove the Conservative whip. There should be no space for this in our country, let alone in Parliament."
Mr Anderson was appointed by the PM as Conservative Deputy Chairman, but he stood down from the role last month following a disagreement of the Rwanda plan.
The Ashfield MP moonlights as a £100,000-a-year TV presenter on GB News even though he used to rail against those who split their time between the Commons and other work. “I don’t have a second job, I love the job I have already,” he previously posted on Facebook.
In the first episode of his GB News show, Mr Anderson was recorded feeding cold baked beans to fellow Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith. On the second programme, he attempted to persuade fellow presenter Michelle Dewberry to eat cat food, but she refused.
Mr Anderson has a history of saying controversial things. He has repeatedly ranted about struggling Brits relying on foodbanks - and earned the nickname '30p Lee' for his claims about the cost of meals.
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