Whinging Labour tell Rishi Sunak he needs to do something about Liz Truss and Lee Anderson

 

Whinging Labour tell Rishi Sunak he needs to do something about Liz Truss and Lee Anderson

 

Former Prime Minister Liz Truss is facing criticism for failing to challenge the description of Tommy Robinson as a "hero" during her trip to the United States.

 

By EXPRESS REPORTER

08:29, Sat, Feb 24, 2024 | UPDATED: 08:57, Sat, Feb 24, 2024

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1870309/lee-anderson-liz-truss-sadiq-khan-london-rishi-sunak

 

Lee Anderson claims Khan has 'given our capital away' to Islamists

Lee Anderson has stirred up a hornet’s nest after accusing London Mayor Sadiq Khan of “giving London away to Islamists”, prompting accusations of racism. Meanwhile former Prime Minister Liz Truss is also facing stern criticism after refusing to challenge a description of far-right activist Tommy Robinson as a “hero”.

 

The controversial Conservative MP for Ashfield, know for his plain-speaking, was characteristically forthright during an appearance on GB News yesterday.

 

Following claims by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman earlier this week that Sir Keir Starmer was “in hock to Islamists”, the former Tory party deputy chairman 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.”

 

The comments were condemned among others alongside former Tory Chancellor Sir Sajid Javid, who posted on X, formerly Twitter that it was “a ridiculous thing to say”. Also on X, Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds, said: “Lee Anderson’s comments are unambiguously racist and Islamophobic.

 

“Rishi Sunak needs to immediately remove the whip. If he is too weak, then people will take their own view of the modern Conservative party.”

 

Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “These comments from a Conservative MP are despicable. Rishi Sunak should remove the Conservative whip. There should be no space for this in our country, let alone in our Parliament.”

 

Sadiq Khan became the first Muslim to be elected London Mayor in 2016, when he beat Tory candidate Zac Goldsmith.

 

Mr Anderson’s remarks may have in part been motivated by images of the contentious phrase “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free” which were projected on to the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday as MPs debated calls for a Gaza ceasefire.

 

Ms Braverman commented: "The mask has slipped: in hock to Islamists, Starmer is responsible for one of the most shameful days of our democracy."

 

South West Norfolk Tory MP Ms Truss had used a talk at the Conservative Political Action Conference (Cpac) in the US to claim her efforts to cut taxes were "sabotaged" by the "administrative state and the deep state".

 

Her speech sees her sharing a stage with Mr Trump, whose presidential bid she all but directly endorsed, and Reform UK founder and former Ukip and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage.

 

The former PM later took part in an interview with Steve Bannon and remained silent as he hailed far-right figure Tommy Robinson a "hero."

 

Sir Sajid also criticised her on social media, saying: "I'd hope every MP would confront such a statement head on. Liz should really know better."

 

In a letter to current PM Rishi Sunak, Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s shadow paymaster general, wrote: "For a senior politician to engage in spreading such blatant conspiracy theories is incredibly damaging to our democracy, our institutions and social cohesion."

 

He added: "For a former prime minister to make such remarks, while on an international visit to a country with whom the UK shares a special relationship which upholds liberal values is an unforgivable lowering of the office of prime minister which lessens the United Kingdom's standing in the world and needs to be acted upon.

 

"It's time to show some leadership and take on the extremists in your party. Liz Truss and Lee Anderson must no longer sit as Conservative MPs. Their words cannot go unchecked or unchallenged."

 

Express.co.uk has approached both Mr Khan, via the Mayor of London’s Office, and Mr Anderson for comment.