London: Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologised for the “hurt and offence” that has been caused by Islamophobia in the Tory Party. He said he will set an inquiry into “every manner of prejudice and discrimination” in his party by Christmas.
On the question of whether he would apologise for the Islamophobia that has taken place in his party, during a campaigning visit in Cornwall, the prime minister replied: “Of course, and for all the hurt and offence that has been caused – of course we do.
He said they would conduct an independent inquiry into Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, every manner of prejudice and discrimination before Christmas.
Meanwhile, Flora Scarabello, the Conservative Party candidate has been suspended by the party over “alleged use of anti-Muslim language”.
BBC quoted a party spokesman as saying, “There is no place in the Scottish Conservatives for anti-Muslim language, or any other form of racial or religious discrimination.”
Johnson’s apology came after a Tory candidate accused the prime minister of fanning the flames of anti-Muslim prejudice. He has faced heavy criticism for a column last year in which he likened burqa wearing Muslim women to “bank robber” and “letterbox”.
Johnson’s apology came the day after Jeremy Corbyn repeatedly declined during a TV interview to say sorry for antisemitism within the Labour party.
Parvez Akhtar, the Conservative candidate for Luton South, earlier called on the PM to “unequivocally apologise” for his own comments and hold an independent inquiry into Islamophobia within the party.
Saying that his party leader’s comments about Muslim women were having an effect on the doorstep, Mr Akhtar added that the Tories have a “blind spot when it comes to Muslims”.