Conservative MP Lee Anderson Suspended Over Controversial Comments on Sadiq Khan

(CTN News) – Lee Anderson, former Tory deputy chairman, has been removed from the party after “refusing to apologise” for comments directed against Sadiq Khan.

The Conservative MP for Ashfield told GB News on Friday that “Islamists” had “got control” of London’s mayor.

Mr Khan responded on Saturday, saying the statements were “pouring fuel on the fire of anti-Muslim hatred”.

Mr Anderson stated that his remarks had put the chief whip and PM in a “difficult position”.

Lee Anderson’s loss of the Conservative whip effectively removes him from his party’s parliamentary representation.

Just over an hour after Mr Khan’s criticism, a representative for the Conservative party’s chief whip Simon Hart stated: “Following his refusal to apologise for comments made yesterday, the chief whip has suspended the Conservative whip from Lee Anderson MP.”

In an interview with GB News, Mr. Anderson stated that he does not believe Islamists have control of the country, but rather Khan and London. He’s actually given our capital city away to his friends.

Following Mr Khan’s criticism of a “deafening silence” from the prime minister and his Cabinet, pressure increased on Rishi Sunak to act.

Mr Anderson was a deputy chair of the Conservative Party until January, when he resigned to protest the government’s handling of the Rwanda vote.

In response to losing the whip, Mr. Anderson posted on social media: “After a call with the chief whip, I understand the difficult position that I have put both him and the prime minister in with regard to my comments.”

“I completely see that they had no choice but to suspend the whip in these circumstances.

“However, I will continue to support the government’s efforts to call out extremism in all its forms – be that anti-Semitism or Islamophobia.”

Earlier on Saturday afternoon, Mr Khan responded to Lee Anderson’s comments on GB News, which he branded as “Islamophobic, anti-Muslim, and racist”.

“These comments pour fuel on the fire of anti-Muslim hatred,” added Mr. Khan.

The London mayor went on to say that it was “unclear why Rishi Sunak and members of his Cabinet” did not call out or denounce the remarks.

Some Conservatives, like former chancellor Sir Sajid Javid, have criticised Mr Anderson’s first statements, calling them “ridiculous”.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) hailed Lee Anderson’s suspension, but claimed it came “after widespread disgust.”

A MCB official stated: “The Conservative Party has an Islamophobia problem. “They must accept responsibility.”