The Tory MP Lee Anderson has admitted his words were “clumsy,” but he insists on his criticism over the London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Amid the ongoing row over his alleged “Islamophobic” remarks Anderson has issued a new statement.
On Friday Anderson prompted fury after he 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, and they’ve got control of Starmer as well.”
The Tory deputy chairman later added, “People are just turning up in their thousands, and doing anything they want, and they are laughing at our police.
“This stems with Khan, he’s actually given our capital city away to his mates.”
After failing to apologise Anderson lost the Conservative whip over the weekend.
On Monday morning the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that Anderson’s comments “weren’t acceptable, they were wrong.”
Anderson has refused to apologise and has doubled down on his attack on the Mayor of London.
Anderson said on GB News, “If you are wrong, apologising is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.
“But when you think you are right you should never apologise because to do so would be a sign of weakness.”
Anderson hit out at the Labour Mayor after he called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas “with no conditions while the hostages are still there being held at gunpoint by a terrorist organisation.”
The Tory deputy chairman accused Khan for overseeing “double standards for political benefit,” and said that “hundreds” have been arrested at pro-Palestinian marches in London for “racist abuse,” however, we “barely hear a peep from the Mayor.”
Anderson said, “It is not my intention to upset anyone, I believe in free speech and have 100% respect for people of all backgrounds.”
He went on to say that “the vast majority of Muslims are not Islamists,” as they are “decent, hard-working citizens who make an amazing contribution to our society.”
The Tory MP added, “Their religion should not be blamed for the actions of a tiny minority of extremists.
“My words may have been clumsy, but my words were borne out of sheer frustration at what is happening to our beautiful capital city.”
The Prime Minister has reportedly refused to say that Anderson’s comments over Khan Islamophobic.
Sunak told reporters on a visit to East Yorkshire on Monday, “I’ve been very clear that what he said was wrong, it was unacceptable, and that’s why we suspended the whip.
“And it’s important that everybody, but particularly elected politicians, are careful with their words and do not inflame tensions.”
Sunak was then asked again if he believes Andersons comments were Islamophobic, he replied, “Well, I think the most important thing is that the words were wrong, they were ill-judged, they were unacceptable. And that’s what I believe, and that’s why the whip has been suspended.”
