Tensions over the Israel-Hamas war have roiled British politics, with Britain’s ruling Conservative Party having a dispute with one of its members after London Mayor Sadiq Khan accused him of being controlled by Islamists. The relationship ended.
The party announced on Saturday that Lee Anderson had been suspended after he refused to apologize for comments he made about Mr Khan in a television interview on Friday. The move means Mr Anderson, who until last month was deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, will now sit in parliament as an independent.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak and other Conservative Party leaders were under increasing pressure to reject the comments, which the leader of the opposition Labor Party said were “blatantly racist and Islamophobic”.
The controversy comes as the war between Israel and Hamas stokes tensions in British society. Pro-Palestinian demonstration march in London Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators call for an immediate ceasefire, regularly gathering despite critics describing the events as a “march of anti-Semitic hatred.” According to statistics released last week, both anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim incidents have skyrocketed since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7.
The anger has spilled over into Congress, with some members saying they fear for their safety after receiving threats over their position on the Gaza conflict.
In an interview with GB News, Mr Anderson criticized the police response to pro-Palestinian protests in London, placing responsibility on Mr Khan.
“I don’t actually believe that Islamists control our country, but what I do believe is that they control Khan and they control London,” Anderson said. ” he said.
Mr Khan categorically denied the allegations, telling the BBC that all forms of hatred, including anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and misogyny, needed to be rejected.
“My concern is that there are people across the country who are seriously concerned about Muslims or people who appear to be Muslims entering the political world, because they think these comments are “Because you know the kind of things that are being said against them. Tory leaders, do they have a chance?” he said.