British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was forced to defend Conservative Party figures on Monday against allegations of Islamophobia. Islamophobia refers to fear and hatred of Islam and Muslims. The controversy has escalated after a Tory MP’s remarks against London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Sunak was asked during an interview whether there were Islamophobic tendencies in the Conservative Party, after MP Lee Anderson was suspended from the Tory party last week for saying Islam supporters had gained control over Pakistani-born Khan .
Khan is a member of the opposition Labor Party, which slammed Anderson’s comments as Islamophobic, racist and anti-Islam.
Sunak spoke openly on Islamophobia
Sunak was under increasing pressure to address the issue and condemn the former party colleague’s comments. When he was asked whether there was a problem of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party, he said no, not at all. I think it is the responsibility of all of us, especially those elected to Parliament, not to take our debate in a direction that is harmful to others.
When asked about Lee Anderson’s controversial statement, the Prime Minister said that Lee’s statements were not acceptable. They were wrong and hence they were suspended.
