British Politics – Latest: Lee Anderson threatens Sunak with defection to Reform UK as Islamophobic row deepens

Lee Anderson today refused to apologize for his anti-Muslim rant against Sadiq Khan, who was suspended by the Conservative Party, but showed little sign of wanting to be intimidated and wants to be the ousted prime minister’s dog. He said he did not think so at all. Joe Murphy.

Read Joe’s full article here.

Michael Tomlinson said he thought Suera Braverman was wrong to say Islamists were in charge of Britain, but added she shouldn’t lose the whip.

asked about Ms. Braverman’s article. telegraph The Minister for Illegal Immigration said last week:

“She is a former Home Secretary who was actually reacting to what happened in the House of Commons, or at least in part to what happened in the House of Commons, during the debate last Wednesday in relation to Gaza and Gaza. “Peace in Gaza.” ”

Asked what the difference was between her comments and Lee Anderson’s, Mr Tomlinson said: She made a statement on the floor of the House last Wednesday, and I think, as I say, the Speaker called it wrong. ”

When asked if the whip should be withdrawn, he replied: We have an open and tolerant society and I think that’s one of the joys of what makes Britain and our country what it is. I think that’s something we should celebrate as politicians. ”

A former postmaster general who claims he was advised by authorities to delay compensation payments to Horizon victims is scheduled to appear before the Commerce and Industry Commission later this morning.

Henry Stanton, who has been in a public spat with business secretary Kemi Badenoch over the allegations, will give evidence to the committee from 11am.

Alan Bates, the disgraced sub-postmaster at the heart of the ITV drama that sped up the government’s response to the scandal, is also expected to give evidence to the inquiry again following his appearance yesterday. .

Labor Party chairman Liam Byrne told Playbook he planned to ask Mr Stanton if he still supported his cause. Mr. Badenoch will not be attending as he is overseas for a conference. Details about the uproar and who said what are below.

Michael Tomlinson says ministers have been told not to use the word “Islamophobia” after he again failed to say whether he thought it accurately described Lee Anderson’s comments. He denied that he had done so.

asked on ITV good morning uk The Illegal Immigration Minister asked Mr Anderson five times whether he thought his comments were Islamophobic and said: “That was a mistake.”

Furthermore, he added: “I don’t think I’m here to talk about definitions. The actions were wrong, the words were wrong, and as a result, swift, strong and decisive action was taken to ensure that It was clearly the right course of action.”

Asked directly whether ministers had been instructed to avoid using the term, he replied: “No, not that.”

Michael Tomlinson has been unable to say why he thinks Lee Anderson’s comments about Sadiq Khan are wrong.

Asked six times by LBC presenter Nick Ferrari why the whip needed to be withdrawn, the Illegal Immigration Minister would only say: “It was wrong.”

After asking three times why Anderson’s comments were wrong and three times whether they were Islamophobic, Ferrari said: “Michael Tomlinson is the Secretary of State for Illegal Immigration and cannot answer questions. ” and ended the interview.

Labor leader Keir Starmer continues to come under pressure over claims he pressured the Speaker of the House of Commons to accept party amendments over the ceasefire in Gaza in consecutive weeks.

according to timesTory Commons leader Penny Mordaunt believes Mr Starmer’s pressure on the Speaker to break precedent is a “breach of privilege” and could lead to an investigation by the Privileges Committee.

Anderson has stepped up his criticism of Sadiq Khan after Rishi Sunak came under pressure to label his comments as Islamophobic.

Tom Pursgrove has become the latest minister to refuse to say whether Lee Anderson’s comments about Sadiq Khan are Islamophobic.

Asked about Anderson’s comments, the Minister for Justice and Immigration told Times Radio: “I think what Mr Lee said was wrong and I don’t think he should have said it.

“The Chief Whip asked him to apologize and retract his comments, but he did not comply, so there was no option but to withdraw the whip.”

Asked if he thought the comments were Islamophobic, Mr Pursgrove said: “I don’t think Mr Lee personally is a racist, but I find his comments unacceptable.”

The prime minister has consistently declined to say whether the former Conservative Party deputy leader’s comments were Islamophobic or anti-Muslim, saying he was suspended only because his comments were “wrong”.