Sadiq Khan Slams Lee Anderson for ‘Fuelling Hate’ Amid Secret Recording Revelations
In a recent development that has stirred the political landscape, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has accused former deputy Conservative chairman and Reform UK MP, Lee Anderson, of “fuelling hate crime and violent threats.” This accusation follows alleged “unpatriotic” comments made by Mr. Anderson about the London mayor in a secret recording obtained by ITV News.
‘Rishi Has Thrown You Under the Bus’: The Secret Recording
The secret recording reveals the Reform MP asserting that Tory cabinet ministers have expressed their support for him following his suspension. Anderson is heard saying, “Rishi has thrown you under the bus,” implying that he was abandoned by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak. Furthermore, Anderson held forth that Mr. Khan “hates this country… our heritage, our culture.”
Khan’s Retaliation: ‘Real-World Consequences’
Responding to these remarks, Mr. Khan has expressed grave concern over the potential “real-world consequences” of Anderson’s comments. He criticized Anderson and his former party, stating it was “deeply depressing” that the former deputy chairman’s “Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred was cheered on by current Tory party staff, MPs and Cabinet ministers.”
In a statement, Mr. Khan said, “In the past 24 hours we have seen my Tory mayoral opponent endorsing Facebook groups rife with antisemitism, Islamophobia and death threats against me. And now we have a former Tory party Deputy chair caught on camera being racist.”
Anderson’s Defection to Reform UK
Rishi Sunak removed the Conservative whip from Mr. Anderson following his comments that painted the Muslim mayor as under the control of “Islamists” and accusing him of having “given our capital city away to his mates”. Despite admitting his comments were “a little bit clumsy,” Anderson refused to apologize, leading to his defection to become the first sitting MP for Richard Tice’s Reform party.
London Mayoral Election: A Critical Juncture
Londoners are set to vote this week in the mayoral election, with Khan widely expected to retain his seat against the controversial Conservative candidate Susan Hall. Mr. Khan asserted, “The London mayoral election tomorrow will be close between Labour and the Tories. The choice is between Labour who are building a fairer, green, safer London for everyone – or the Tory candidate who wants to divide our communities and take London backwards.”
Unraveling the Fallout: Conservative Party’s Stance
While Mr. Anderson has spoken of support from Tory MPs, he has not revealed the identity of those who messaged him their support. According to ITV, a Conservative party spokesman did not deny the claims but said: “A vote for Reform is a vote for Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party, taking us right back to square one. Only the Conservative Party is sticking to the plan and delivering on the people’s priorities.”
The Way Forward: A Political Landscape in Flux
As this political drama unfolds, the impact on the upcoming mayoral election and the broader political landscape remains to be seen. The controversy underlines the critical need for unity and a clear vision in leadership as the city navigates its way through the challenges at hand. While the personal and party politics play out in the public sphere, it is the voters who will have the final say in the direction London takes.
