Lee Anderson warns Rishi Sunak he's made a mistake by ditching him as a Tory MP

27 February 2024 , 16:18

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Lee Anderson has been accused of racism after he claimed Sadiq Khan is controlled by 'Islamists' (Image: Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)

Lee Anderson has warned that Rishi Sunak has made a mistake by ditching him as a Conservative MP.

The loudmouth has been stripped of the Tory whip after he claimed Sadiq Khan is controlled by “Islamists”.

But the PM is now facing a row between his MPs about whether he was right to punish Mr Anderson - as some of his own Cabinet ministers have openly suggested he could be allowed to make a return.

As he appeared on 5 News, the former Conservative Deputy Chairman was questioned on whether he had put Mr Sunak in a difficult position. "Err, well, Rishi has to do what he has to do. He’s the boss, he’s the manager. If erm, he takes the whip off me, that’s up to him," he said.

"I think he’s made a mistake, personally, but I’ve got no, no truck with him. I’m not going to fall out with him over it, he’s got a job to do and it’s as simple as that."

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Mr Sunak has said he believes Mr Anderson's remarks were “wrong” and “not acceptable”, but he and his ministers have repeatedly declined to say whether they were racist of Islamophobic. Asked on BBC local radio on Monday whether his party has an Islamophobia problem, the Prime Minister said: "No, of course it doesn't.”

Transport Secretary Mark Harper suggested Mr Anderson could be welcomed back by the party, telling Sky News: "He's contributed a lot in the past. I'd like to see him be able to contribute to the Conservative Party in the future.”

Appearing on GB News on Friday evening, Mr Anderson said that Mr Khan 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.

Mr Anderson 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. The Ashfield MP 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.

Channel 5 News airs weeknights at 5pm.

John Stevens