Controversy over refusal to apologize
LEE Anderson, the Ashfield MP, has stated that he will not apologize for his remarks about London Mayor Sadiq Khan, believing that apologizing would be seen as a "sign of weakness." Despite facing backlash, Anderson stood by his comments, asserting that one should never apologize when they believe they are right.
Criticism from Prime Minister and Tory colleagues
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other senior Tories have condemned Anderson's comments, with Sunak labeling them as 'not acceptable.' Anderson was stripped of the Tory whip after suggesting that Khan was controlled by "Islamists," drawing criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, including Tory peer Baroness Warsi and business minister Nus Ghani.
Anderson's stance and potential party affiliation
Despite calls for an apology and the possibility of regaining the Tory whip, Anderson remains firm in his decision not to retract his statements or apologize. He accused Mayor Khan of applying double standards for political gain, particularly in the policing of pro-Palestinian marches in London. Anderson is now an independent MP, with speculation about his potential affiliation with the Reform Party dismissed by its leader Richard Tice.
