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Tory Islamophobia inquiry will be 'general investigation' Tory Islamophobia inquiry downgraded to 'general investigation'
(about 1 hour later)
A promised independent inquiry into Islamophobia in the Conservative party has been downgraded to a “general investigation” into all types of prejudice, Boris Johnson has said, going back on what was seemingly agreed in a recent BBC debate.A promised independent inquiry into Islamophobia in the Conservative party has been downgraded to a “general investigation” into all types of prejudice, Boris Johnson has said, going back on what was seemingly agreed in a recent BBC debate.
In an interview with the ConservativeHome website, the Tory leadership frontrunner said he had agreed with Sajid Javid, the home secretary, who pushed for the Islamophobia inquiry, that it should instead have a broader focus.In an interview with the ConservativeHome website, the Tory leadership frontrunner said he had agreed with Sajid Javid, the home secretary, who pushed for the Islamophobia inquiry, that it should instead have a broader focus.
The plan was raised by Javid during a BBC leadership debate involving the candidates still in the race at the time – the others being Johnson, Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove and Rory Stewart. The idea was raised by Javid during a BBC leadership debate involving the candidates still in the race at the time – the others being Johnson, Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove and Rory Stewart.
Asked if he believed such an inquiry should be held, Javid said: “Yes I would – do you all agree, guys? Shall we have an external investigation in the Conservative party into Islamophobia?” The other candidates all seemingly agreed, and none raising any objections. Asked if he believed such an inquiry should be held, Javid said: “Yes I would – do you all agree, guys? Shall we have an external investigation in the Conservative party into Islamophobia?” The other candidates all seemingly agreed, with none raising any objections.
But in the ConservativeHome interview, when asked about the plan, Johnson said: “Well, I took it up with Saj afterwards, and he said that actually, if I understand it correctly, what we’ve committed to is a general investigation into all types of prejudice and discrimination including antisemitism.” But in the ConservativeHome interview, when asked about the plan, Johnson said: “Well, I took it up with Saj afterwards and he said that actually, if I understand it correctly, what we’ve committed to is a general investigation into all types of prejudice and discrimination, including antisemitism.”
Asked if this would be an independent investigation, Johnson replied: “Yup.” He added: “So yes, we’ll have to study exactly what Saj has in mind, but it sounded like a sensible idea when he mentioned it.”Asked if this would be an independent investigation, Johnson replied: “Yup.” He added: “So yes, we’ll have to study exactly what Saj has in mind, but it sounded like a sensible idea when he mentioned it.”
The apparent downgrading of the inquiry will disappoint anti-Islamophobia campaigners, who have repeatedly called for the Conservatives to tackle the issue.The apparent downgrading of the inquiry will disappoint anti-Islamophobia campaigners, who have repeatedly called for the Conservatives to tackle the issue.
It comes three days after a poll of Tory members found that nearly half of them would prefer not to have a Muslim prime minister. A poll of Tory members earlier this week found nearly half would prefer not to have a Muslim prime minister.
The poll, carried out by YouGov for the anti-racism group Hope Not Hate, also found that more than two-thirds of Tory members believe the myth that parts of the UK are under sharia law, and 45% think some areas are not safe for non-Muslims. The survey, carried out by YouGov for the anti-racism group Hope Not Hate, also found more than two-thirds of Tory members believe the myth that parts of the UK are under sharia law, and 45% think some areas are not safe for non-Muslims.
Half of the party’s members think Islamophobia is a big issue, but only 8% believe it is a problem within the party, the survey found, while 40% of members wanted to see fewer Muslims in the UK. Half the party’s members think Islamophobia is a big issue, but only 8% believe it is a problem within the party, the survey found, while 40% of members wanted to see fewer Muslims in the UK.
Matthew McGregor, Hope Not Hate’s campaigns director, said of the polling: “From the grassroots to the great offices of state, Conservative members buy into racist myths, with almost half unwilling to have a Muslim prime minister – and only 8% [saying they would be] proud to have one – and most denying there’s even an issue to confront.”Matthew McGregor, Hope Not Hate’s campaigns director, said of the polling: “From the grassroots to the great offices of state, Conservative members buy into racist myths, with almost half unwilling to have a Muslim prime minister – and only 8% [saying they would be] proud to have one – and most denying there’s even an issue to confront.”
IslamophobiaIslamophobia
ConservativesConservatives
Race
Boris JohnsonBoris Johnson
Conservative leadership
Sajid JavidSajid Javid
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