- MPs criticise Anderson remarks
- Calls for expulsion escalate
- Anderson faces widespread condemnation
The Member of Parliament was criticised by politicians across the political spectrum for his remarks about the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
Some Conservative MPs have called for the expulsion of Lee Anderson from the party due to his “divisive and dangerous” comments about Sadiq Khan.
Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, accused former Conservative deputy chairman of “blatant racism and Islamophobia“, and ex-Conservative MP Gavin Barwell said he promoted “hatred and division”.
The Labour Party has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, asking for Mr. Anderson’s whip to be removed, so he would serve as an independent MP rather than a Conservative.
Mr. Anderson, on GB News, accused Mr. Khan of “donating” the capital to his “comrades” and claimed “Islamists” “control” Mr. Khan and London.
These remarks were met with widespread condemnation, including from former Conservative Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who called them “absurd”.
Mr. Streeting called the comments “dangerous and divisive”, criticising the Conservatives for resorting to overt bigotry and Islamophobia.
Calls for Anderson’s Party Expulsion
Labour Party Chair Anneliese Dodds labelled Anderson’s comments as “Islamophobic and racist”, urging Sunak to remove his whip.
Labour’s Shadow Paymaster General, Jonathan Ashworth, in a letter, described the comments as “vile” and indicative of “horrendous racism and Islamophobia”, also suggesting the whip be removed from former Prime Minister Liz Truss for her controversial remarks.
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Hope Not Hate, in a letter to Conservative Party Chairman Richard Holden, deemed Anderson’s comments as “defamatory, divisive, and inaccurate”, posing a significant threat to the Mayor of London.
Former Conservative MP Rory Stewart and Labour MP Flo Eshalomi also criticised Anderson’s remarks, with Eshalomi highlighting a significant rise in anti-Muslim hate.
A Conservative Party source defended Anderson, stating his comments were meant to highlight the Mayor’s failure to address Islamist marches in London.
Anderson resigned as deputy chair of the Conservative Party to vote against Sunak’s Rwanda measure, later expressing a desire to return to his role.
Anderson has previously faced criticism, notably for claiming an individual could feed themselves on “about 30 pence per day”, earning him the nickname “30p Lee”.
