Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has publicly addressed comments made by Lee Anderson and Suella Braverman regarding Islamists in Britain. Dowden stated that he does not believe Anderson's remarks, which claimed Islamists had control over London and its mayor, Sadiq Khan, were intended to be Islamophobic. This statement came amid controversy over Anderson's assertion that Islamists have taken over London, the Labour Party, and Mayor Sadiq Khan. Dowden differentiated Anderson's comments from those made by Braverman, suggesting they belong to a different category because they specifically target one person, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Despite disagreeing with Braverman's comments that Islamists are in charge, Dowden emphasized that Anderson's comments were not meant to be Islamophobic, a stance supported by the fact that the Chief Whip has asked for an apology from Anderson.
Govt’s position at the moment seems to be that Lee Anderson saying Islamists have control of London and Sadiq Khan crosses the line but Suella Braverman saying Britain is being taken over by an "islamist mob” doesn’t cross the line
“I disagree with Suella but I think that’s in a different category [from Lee Anderson’s remarks]” Deputy PM Oliver Dowden says he does not agree with Suella Braverman’s comments that “the truth is the Islamists… are in charge now” #BBCLauraK https://t.co/o1dFn2kETd https://t.co/2XFk2RRs9W
“[Do you believe] those words are Islamophobic?” asks #BBCLauraK “The fact that it could be taken in that way is the reason why those comments led to the Chief Whip asking for an apology” says Deputy PM Oliver Dowden on Lee Anderson’s "Islamist" remarks https://t.co/o1dFn2kETd https://t.co/F1Myn2B6iy
Deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden said he does not believe Lee Anderson was “intending” to be Islamophobic when he claimed “Islamists” had “got control” of London and its mayor Sadiq Khan. https://t.co/pgOJwzwBXp
Oliver Dowden tells @bbclaurak that while he disagrees with the comments made by Suella Braverman they are in a 'different category' to Lee Anderson because his are 'about attaching specifically to one person' - the Mayor of London
"I don't believe Lee Anderson said those words in any way intending to be Islamophobic" says Oliver Dowden. #bbclaurak https://t.co/gjn56fxfc5
Oliver Dowden: “I don’t believe Lee Anderson said those remarks intending to be Islamophobic.”
Lee Anderson says he doesn't believe Islamists have taken over the country (referencing the Braverman article) - but does say he thinks they have taken over London (and Labour, and the London mayor).