The Liberal Democrats have tabled a motion in Parliament to censure Lee Anderson over his remarks about London Mayor Sadiq Khan, calling on him to return to the House of Commons and apologise.
The motion describes his comments as being "Islamophobic, damaging, divisive and risk bringing the House collectively into disrepute".
Anderson had the Tory whip suspended after claiming that "Islamists have got control of our country" and that Khan has "given our capital city away to his mates."
Khan said the comments were "Islamophobic, racist and anti-Muslim".
Khan said the comments were "Islamophobic, racist and anti-Muslim"
PA
The Liberal Democrat motion reads: "That this House censures the hon. Member for Ashfield for his comments on 23 February 2024 regarding the Mayor of London, which were Islamophobic, damaging, divisive and risk bringing the House collectively into disrepute; and calls on the hon. Member for Ashfield to come to the House and apologise for these remarks."
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak yesterday condemned his remarks as "wrong" and "not acceptable". But he stopped short of describing them as Islamophobic.
Anderson has refused to apologise, instead doubling down and accusing the Mayor of London of overseeing "double standards for political benefit", referring to the way that pro-Palestinian marches are policed in London.
Speaking to GB News yesterday, he added: "If you are wrong, apologising is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.
"But when you think you are right you should never apologise because to do so would be a sign of weakness."
Reform UK leader Richard Tice threw his weight behind the former Tory deputy chairman, claiming the MP "speaks for millions".
He also claimed his suspension from the Tory party has sparked a surge in new Reform UK members.
In a statement, the Reform UK leader said: "Many in the media have asked me about Lee Anderson’s comments. The truth is that Lee speaks for millions of people who are appalled by what is happening to our country.
"Between them, this gutless government and the Mayor of London appear to have lost control of our streets. The projecting of a vile antisemitic slogan on our Houses of Parliament last week is a shocking illustration of the breakdown of law and order.
"In his role as London’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Sadiq Khan is responsible for London’s security. Along with Sir Mark Rowley, he has totally failed in that capacity. Week in week out, he and the police have allowed pro-Hamas, hate-filled antisemitic marches to continue."
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Meanwhile, a petition urging the Conservative Party to restore the whip to Lee Anderson has surpassed 10,000 signatures, its organisers have said.
The petition, launched by grassroots Tory website the Conservative Post, also calls for Anderson to be reinstated as Tory deputy chairman.
Editor of the website, Claire Bullivant, said Tory members are "screaming for proper Conservatism".
