London, England – Chancellor Rishi Sunak expressed concern about the rising political polarization and animosity following a turbulent week in Westminster, where Tory MP Lee Anderson faced suspension from his party for controversial remarks about London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Sunak’s remarks came after Anderson refused to apologize for his comments, prompting his suspension from the Conservative Party. While the prime minister did not directly address Anderson’s remarks, he emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of Members of Parliament amidst escalating tensions.
In response, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called on Sunak to take control of his party and address the issue at hand. Anderson faced criticism from members of both the Labour and Conservative parties for his comments on GB News, where he accused Islamists of having control over Mayor Khan and accused him of betraying the city.
Anderson’s suspension was confirmed by Conservative party chief whip Simon Hart, resulting in his removal from the parliamentary party, forcing him to sit as an independent MP. Mayor Khan criticized the prime minister’s delayed response to the situation, calling it a tacit endorsement of Anderson’s remarks, which he denounced as Islamophobic and racist.
Despite his suspension, Anderson expressed understanding of the position he put the prime minister in and reiterated his commitment to supporting efforts to combat extremism. Meanwhile, Labour leader Starmer questioned the prime minister’s judgement in appointing Anderson, emphasizing the need to address toxic rhetoric within the party.
In a statement, Sunak avoided directly addressing Anderson’s words but warned against the rise of prejudice and antisemitism, particularly following recent events involving attacks on Israel by Hamas. He emphasized the need to address the growing pattern of intolerance and extremism, expressing concern over violent threats targeting elected representatives.
As tensions escalated in Westminster over issues like the Gaza ceasefire vote and MPs’ safety, Sunak urged for unity and condemned the hijacking of legitimate protests by extremists. The Chancellor’s remarks underscored the importance of addressing growing animosity and ensuring the safety and security of all elected officials amidst a challenging political climate.