The MP for Beckenham said the video was of himself, “I was provoked into a response, which was a mistake on my behalf.” I’m not [taking money], never have been.”
During a scuffle, Conservative MP Bob Stewart advised an activist to “go back to Bahrain,” prompting Scotland Yard to open an investigation.
The Metropolitan Police issued the following statement: “On Sunday, December 18, police received an online report from a guy who claimed he had been verbally and racially harassed.
“The complaint pertains to an event that occurred on Wednesday, December 14 in Cleveland Row, SW1A.
“Investigation by Westminster CID officers”
Mr. Stewart stated yesterday that his remarks were “inadvertent.”
Sayed Alwadaei, director of the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (Bird).
How much did you sell yourself to the regime in Bahrain? The question is posed by Mr. Alwadaei about a trip paid for by the Bahraini government before its elections.
Mr. Stewart’s response is, “Get stuffed.” Bahrain is a wonderful destination. End of.”
Mr. Alwadaei says, “They recently paid you.”
Mr. Stewart responds, “Leave, I despise you. You create considerable noise. Return to Bahrain.”
Mr. Alwadaei asks Mr. Stewart, “How much did you sell yourself to the Bahraini regime?” Mr. Stewart responds, “I didn’t, now shut up, you idiot.”
When Mr. Alwadaei inquires once more, “how much,” Mr. Stewart responds, “You’re taking money from my country; leave!”
Mr. Stewart stated that he is not a racist.
The MP for Beckenham said the video was of himself, telling Sky News, “I was provoked into a response, which was a mistake on my behalf.” I’m not [taking money], never have been.”
Mr. Stewart continued, “I’m the chair of the All Party Country Group, and it’s a beautiful country. I’ve seen it become a very pleasant place to live.”
He further emphasized that he had “never personally accepted a dime” from the Bahraini government for his capacity as chair of the APPG.
Mr. Stewart said, “I’m not racist, it hurts terribly, I’ve lived in the Middle East.”
I do not believe I would have been instructed to “return” if not for the color of my skin.
The representative for Beckenham was a British Army soldier stationed in Bahrain in 1969.
The foreign affairs ministry of Bahrain paid for Mr. Stewart’s flights, lodging, and food during a four-day trip to Bahrain last November, according to parliamentary documents.
In a second entry, the Bahraini government reveals that another trip to attend an air show and speak with its foreign minister cost £1,245.50.
Mr. Alwadaei has complained about Mr. Stewart’s behavior with the Parliamentary Commission for Standards and the Chairman of the Conservative Party, Nadhim Zahawi.
“I do not believe I would have been instructed to return to the country that brutally tortured me if not for the color of my skin,” he stated in a statement.
No one should be subjected to racist harassment, especially for holding an MP accountable for accepting extravagant gifts from one of the most brutal countries in the world.
“Stewart is acting as a spokesperson by openly denying its infamous and well-documented violations of human rights, violations that have been condemned by the United Nations.”
Mr. Alwadaei stated, following the release of the statement by Scotland Yard, “The police have contacted me for an interview, and I will fully comply with their investigation.”
Mr. Alwadaei claims he was imprisoned and tortured in 2011 for participating in a pro-democracy revolt, and he sought political asylum in the United Kingdom in 2012 after being condemned.
He claims that his Bahraini citizenship was canceled in 2013 following a protest against the appearance of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the Royal Windsor horse show.
A spokeswoman for the Conservative party stated, “We have an established code of conduct and formal complaint procedures.” This procedure is appropriately private.”
