Keir Starmer, leader of the UK Labour Party, has caused a diplomatic incident with Bangladesh following comments he made about the country. Starmer claimed that people coming from Bangladesh are not being removed, which prompted a response from the Bangladesh High Commission. The High Commission sent a letter to Sir Keir Starmer on June 30, stating there is not a single case of returns pending and that Bangladesh has never been in the top 20 nations for small boat arrivals. The comments have been criticized as 'dog whistle racism' and have led to resignations among Labour councillors in Newham, Walsall, and Tower Hamlets. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about Starmer's stance on immigration and his leadership within the Labour Party.
NEW: Two Labour Councillors in North Durham have resigned in protest at the decision to parachute in NEC member Luke Akehurst. Akehurst is the director of the lobby group 'We Believe in Israel' Councillors have raised concerns about his 'appalling views on Palestine' https://t.co/RYXucu3v4h
NEW: Labour councillors in Newham and Walsall have resigned following Starmer's Bangladesh remarks. 'This language is reminiscent of the National Front' Comes after the Deputy Leader of Tower Hamlets Labour Group resigned. https://t.co/7GxuLxnokf
NEW: Labour councillors in Newham and Walsall have resigned following Starmer's comments on Bangladesh. Comes after the Deputy Leader of Tower Hamlets Labour Group resigned. https://t.co/6i6ZES08L4
A second Labour Party councillor in North Durham has resigned over the parachuting of Luke Akehurst into the seat: https://t.co/oZgoPSpouN
Another Labour councillor has resigned - citing the party's position on Palestine and Starmer's recent Bangladesh comments as part of the reason why https://t.co/1GFxsdifw4
Starmer only said that illegal immigrants from Bangladesh should be removed back to Bangladesh (not that he'll ever do anything about it anyway). Yet apparently, this is deemed unacceptable by an unbiased TV political correspondent. https://t.co/xbYFBulxC7
Starmer slammed for ‘dog whistle attack’ for comments on Bangladeshi migrants https://t.co/jKgxy0YbEj
Every single Bangladeshi politician, every Bangladeshi voter, and every humanitarian must reflect deeply on how easily Keir Starmer declares he will deport and exclude those who have woven themselves into the very fabric of Britain. 🇬🇧 If he can target the Bangladeshi community… https://t.co/C7ssI2j5jt
Keir Starmer has said "At the moment people coming from countries like Bangladesh are not being removed." We cannot let this type of dog whistle racism win. Boot Starmer Out! #ToriesOutStarmerOut #VoteFeinstein #GeneralElection2024 #IndependentsDay https://t.co/kNFsA2hJ5t
UK Labour's Keir Starmer caused diplomatic row over Bangladesh comments https://t.co/RIAMUtQRCB
The Bangladeshi High Commission confirms there wasn't even a single case of returns pending. Kier Starmer is either making it up or using us as bait to appeal to his racist friends. No wonder he finds it hard to call Farage a racist. https://t.co/qgYIYPnb7A
🚨 NEW: The Bangladesh High Commissioner has sent Sir Keir Starmer a letter regarding his comments on Bangladesh, which have caused a diplomatic row [@ShehabKhan] https://t.co/kkre5JqJo4
NEW: Starmer’s Bangladesh comments caused a small diplomatic incident I’ve seen a letter sent to Starmer from the Bangladesh High Commission highlighting that there isn’t a single case of returns pending and Bangladesh has never been in the top 20 nations for small boat arrivals