Lee Anderson is ‘pouring fuel on fire of anti-Muslim hatred’, says Sadiq Khan
London mayor Sadiq Khan has described remarks made by the former Tory deputy chairman as “pouring fuel on the fire of anti-Muslim hatred”.
Lee Anderson told GB News “Islamists” had “got control” of the mayor of London and that he had “given our capital city away to his mates”.
His words, which follow pro-Palestinian protests outside Parliament, have been condemned by some Conservatives, as well as sparking widespread criticism from Labour politicians.
Mr Khan has criticised Rishi Sunak and his cabinet for what he has described as a “deafening silence”.
In an appearance on GB News, Mr Anderson had said: “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’s actually given our capital city away to his mates.”
Sadiq Khan accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Cabinet of “condoning” racism for their “deafening silence” over Lee Anderson’s comments.
The Mayor of London also argued there was “a hierarchy when it comes to racism” and that Muslims will be “really concerned” abut entering into politics.
He said: “These comments from a senior Conservative are Islamophobic, are anti-Muslim and are racist.
“We’ve seen over the last two days confirmation that over the last few months there’s been an increase in anti-Muslim cases by more than 330 per cent.
“These comments pour fuel on the fire of anti-Muslim hatred, and I’m afraid the deafening silence from Rishi Sunak and from the Cabinet is them condoning this racism, and I’m afraid it confirms to many people across the country that there’s a hierarchy when it comes to racism.
“I think it’s really important to call out antisemitism, it’s really important to call out misogyny, it’s really important to call out homophobia, but surely it must also be important to call out anti-Muslim hatred?
“My concern is there’ll be people across the country, people who are Muslim, or look like Muslims, who’ll be really concerned about entering into politics because they know if these are the sorts of comments that are said against me by a senior Conservative, what chance do they have?”
Lee Anderson’s remarks prompted criticism from Labour and some Conservatives, with senior Tory MP Sir Sajid Javid describing them as “ridiculous”.
Senior figures within the Tory ranks have condemned the claim with business minister Nus Ghani publicly brand Mr Anderson’s comments as “foolish and dangerous”.
Conservative MP Paul Scully said: “Wrong-headed comments which inflame the situation and then make it much more difficult to speak sensibly about these important divisions.
“Just as important to call out people from my own party. If it’s wrong, it’s wrong. Language matters.”
Ashfield Independent council leader Jason Zadrozny said the town “deserves better” and “Lee Anderson is an embarrassment”.
Tory peer Gavin Barwell, who was Theresa May’s Number 10 chief of staff, said the remark was a “despicable slur”.
The Muslim Council of Britain said the comment was “disgusting” and criticised the “silence of the party in the face of such extremism”.
A spokesperson said: “In a week where we learn of an explosion in Islamophobic hate crimes, influential MPs and a donor to the Conservative Party are endorsing common talking points that peddle conspiracy theories and Islamophobic tropes of alleged Muslim takeovers of our country.
“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
“The silence of the party in the face of such extremism as we approach the Mayoral election, echoes the racist Zac Goldsmith campaign and shows that the institutional Islamophobia in the Conservative Party continues unabated.
“The Goldsmith campaign failed then and we are confident this approach will fail again.
“We believe the Party should act immediately and withdraw the whip from Mr Anderson.”
A Conservative Party source said: “Lee was simply making the point that the mayor, in his capacity as PCC (police and crime commissioner) for London, has abjectly failed to get a grip on the appalling Islamist marches we have seen in London recently.”
