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General election 2019: Tories investigate candidate over alleged Islamophobia | General election 2019: Tories investigate candidate over alleged Islamophobia |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Conservatives are investigating a complaint made by Labour candidate Naz Shah that a Tory candidate re-tweeted Islamophobic material. | The Conservatives are investigating a complaint made by Labour candidate Naz Shah that a Tory candidate re-tweeted Islamophobic material. |
In a letter to Conservative chair James Cleverly, Ms Shah called for action over the Twitter activity of the party's candidate Linden Kemkaran. | In a letter to Conservative chair James Cleverly, Ms Shah called for action over the Twitter activity of the party's candidate Linden Kemkaran. |
This includes allegedly re-tweeting a post calling Islam a "nasty culture". | This includes allegedly re-tweeting a post calling Islam a "nasty culture". |
The Conservative Party says it is investigating Ms Shah's claims, which have been rejected by Mrs Kemkaran. | The Conservative Party says it is investigating Ms Shah's claims, which have been rejected by Mrs Kemkaran. |
As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mrs Kemkaran said she "didn't and never would describe Islam or any other culture as 'nasty'". She has since deleted the retweets. | As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mrs Kemkaran said she "didn't and never would describe Islam or any other culture as 'nasty'". She has since deleted the retweets. |
Ms Shah, who is also Labour's shadow equalities minister, is defending Bradford West and Mrs Kemkaran is standing in nearby, Labour-held Bradford East. | |
Here is a full list of candidates in Bradford West and Bradford East. | Here is a full list of candidates in Bradford West and Bradford East. |
Writing to Tory chairman Mr Cleverly, Ms Shah said: "I tweeted out how disgusted I felt that your Bradford East candidate, Linden Kemkaran, described Bradford as having 'crime infested streets' and 'no-go areas' during a local hustings. | Writing to Tory chairman Mr Cleverly, Ms Shah said: "I tweeted out how disgusted I felt that your Bradford East candidate, Linden Kemkaran, described Bradford as having 'crime infested streets' and 'no-go areas' during a local hustings. |
"I highlighted how the link to no-go areas is a far right trope used to attack and demonise minority communities. I recognise that people can make mistakes for a number of reasons, including sometimes through ignorance. | "I highlighted how the link to no-go areas is a far right trope used to attack and demonise minority communities. I recognise that people can make mistakes for a number of reasons, including sometimes through ignorance. |
"However, instead of Linden Kemkaran apologising for peddling such rhetoric, she decided it was apt to double down on this message. | "However, instead of Linden Kemkaran apologising for peddling such rhetoric, she decided it was apt to double down on this message. |
"In response she retweeted a user - whose Twitter biography reads 'No to that cult, Islam' and a message that said: 'Muslims always the victims, play race card, 'Islamophobia' what a crock, what a nasty culture.' | "In response she retweeted a user - whose Twitter biography reads 'No to that cult, Islam' and a message that said: 'Muslims always the victims, play race card, 'Islamophobia' what a crock, what a nasty culture.' |
"To peddle these far-right tropes especially by an individual standing for office is not only irresponsible but hugely dangerous for minority communities." | "To peddle these far-right tropes especially by an individual standing for office is not only irresponsible but hugely dangerous for minority communities." |
The Bradford West candidate accused Mrs Kemkaran of empowering "dangerous and hateful speech" and called for her to be suspended. | The Bradford West candidate accused Mrs Kemkaran of empowering "dangerous and hateful speech" and called for her to be suspended. |
She also said a full investigation on the issue should take place. | She also said a full investigation on the issue should take place. |
She later accused the Conservatives of "refusing to take action" adding "clearly, Boris Johnson's claim that racist Conservative candidates are 'out first bounce' was yet another lie". | |
Conservative leader Mr Johnson has previously said party members guilty of Islamophobia "are out first bounce". | |
Follow election night on the BBC | Follow election night on the BBC |
In response, a Conservative spokesperson said: "This matter is being investigated. | In response, a Conservative spokesperson said: "This matter is being investigated. |
"Discrimination or abuse of any kind is wrong, and the Conservative Party takes decisive action to deal with any incidents of hatred, abuse or intimidation. | "Discrimination or abuse of any kind is wrong, and the Conservative Party takes decisive action to deal with any incidents of hatred, abuse or intimidation. |
"Our complaints process is rightly a confidential one but there are a wide range of sanctions to challenge and change behaviour, including conditions to undertake training, periods of suspension and expulsion, and these are applied on a case-by-case basis." | "Our complaints process is rightly a confidential one but there are a wide range of sanctions to challenge and change behaviour, including conditions to undertake training, periods of suspension and expulsion, and these are applied on a case-by-case basis." |
On Sunday, Mr Cleverly apologised for Islamophobia in the party and said an inquiry would be initiated "this calendar year". | On Sunday, Mr Cleverly apologised for Islamophobia in the party and said an inquiry would be initiated "this calendar year". |
In a tweet responding to criticism, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mrs Kemkaran said: "Of course I don't think Muslim culture is negative or 'nasty' - quite the opposite in fact. | In a tweet responding to criticism, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mrs Kemkaran said: "Of course I don't think Muslim culture is negative or 'nasty' - quite the opposite in fact. |
"When I interact with anyone I see the human being first, that matters way more than colour/religion/sexuality etc. I wish others would do the same." | "When I interact with anyone I see the human being first, that matters way more than colour/religion/sexuality etc. I wish others would do the same." |
In another response she said: "Can I just make it absolutely clear that I didn't and never would describe Islam or any other culture as 'nasty' - I'm the product of a multi-cultural/heritage background and a constant promoter of diversity and equality." | In another response she said: "Can I just make it absolutely clear that I didn't and never would describe Islam or any other culture as 'nasty' - I'm the product of a multi-cultural/heritage background and a constant promoter of diversity and equality." |
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