Controversy has erupted over comments made by Conservative MP Paul Scully, who claimed that certain areas in London and Birmingham, particularly Tower Hamlets and those with large Muslim populations like Sparkhill (83.7% Muslim), are 'no-go' zones. The remarks have sparked widespread criticism and have led to a broader discussion on Islamophobia within British politics. Downing Street has distanced itself from Scully's statements, while various individuals and political figures, including Shadow Education Secretary @bphillipsonMP, have condemned the comments, emphasizing the welcoming and vibrant nature of communities like Sparkhill in Birmingham. Despite the backlash, some voices, including broadcaster Eamonn Holmes and other political commentators, have defended the notion of 'no-go' areas, arguing for a nuanced understanding of the term. Scully later expressed regret over sparking the controversy. The controversy has prompted discussions on the implications of such claims for community relations and political discourse in the UK.
NO GO ZONES: UK MP Points to London, Birmingham Neighborhoods. Read more: https://t.co/PTULwcw1JZ Conservative MP Paul Scully has said that parts of London and Birmingham have become 'no-go areas...
UK: Conservative MP sparks backlash after 'no-go area' claims about London and Birmingham https://t.co/4LSFPNHCck
A minister has called on a Tory MP who claimed there were "no-go areas" in London and Birmingham to withdraw his comments Read more; https://t.co/pawMYBvwbK
Tory MP Paul Scully discusses his claim that there are ‘no-go areas’ in Birmingham and East London. “There are parts of this country, whether it's Muslim, black, white, whatever, there are certain places that people do not feel comfortable going into.” @JuliaHB1 https://t.co/1fFOA2uyv4
There is no agreed definition of a "no-go zone". Parts of Tower Hamlets and Birmingham are indeed no-go zones for lots of people. But go-to zones for others. No urban district is a no-go zone for everyone or it would be entirely empty. So it's probably not a very useful term. https://t.co/tjqxbIphE4
Conservative former London minister Paul Scully says he regrets sparking controversy for claiming that parts of Tower Hamlets and Birmingham have become “no-go areas” https://t.co/Dvp7QdMmXY
'There are such places as no-go areas!' Eamonn Holmes declares that it makes sense to describe some parts of Birmingham and London as 'no-go areas.' https://t.co/oBy1L4kMZ7
london’s true no go zone https://t.co/0GrpGhHVW0
"We don't need this kind of discourse in our politics." Shadow Education Secretary @bphillipsonMP is asked about comments by former Tory minister Paul Scully that there are "no-go areas" in parts of London and Birmingham. https://t.co/0WQhQf8gwb 📺 Sky 501 and YouTube https://t.co/mJF3MPCIqL
Tory MP Paul @scullyp has described parts of the Tower Hamlets & Sparkhill, Birmingham as "no-go" areas. It has been furiously denied my Mayor @andy4wm Street. Sparkhill is 83.7% Muslim & these are 2 traffic wardens being beaten up in the Stratford Road, Sparkhill. @adampayne26 https://t.co/X3pj6NQktz
Tory MP Paul Scully claims there are ‘no-go’ areas in Birmingham and London https://t.co/xyIL7y70WQ
Today I had to cycle through Sparkhill in Birmingham (as I do regularly) to get to a BBC Debate about islamophobia... ... and I just heard someone on BBC Radio London call Sparkhill a no-go area for non-Muslims. https://t.co/4XbWyB4Tvv
🔴Tory MP claims Birmingham and London have ‘no-go’ areas amid Islamophobia row. Read more here 👇 https://t.co/X2KHwPYlxr
Paul Scully MP defends saying parts of Tower Hamlets 'no-go' areas https://t.co/UsEfjYBrdZ
Fury as Tory MP claims there are religious ‘no-go’ areas in Birmingham and London as party's Islamophobia row deepens https://t.co/HkSwd3tdSM
A Conservative MP has been criticised for claiming there are "no-go areas" in parts of London and Birmingham where Muslim people live Read more 🔗 https://t.co/Wy7sXCizDP
There are definitely "no-go" areas in London and Birmingham. It should not be a controversial comment. https://t.co/Oxv6Zx7Pni
🚨 NEW: No 10 distances itself from Tory MP Paul Scully's claim that there are "no-go" areas in parts of London and Birmingham with large Muslim populations
I am absolutely disgusted that Tory MP Paul Scully has said parts of Sparkhill has ‘no go areas’ There is no place in Sparkhill that has made me feel unsafe. Quite the opposite in fact. It’s a vibrant, welcoming community in Birmingham 🤍 These comments are disgusting. https://t.co/YfmxDMkLJZ
This is just incredible. In response to the Islamophobia crisis, Tory MP Paul Scully talks about “changing neighbourhoods” and Muslim “no go areas” in Tower Hamlets and Birmingham. 🔊 Listen and tell me British politics doesn’t have a seriously Islamophobia problem ⬇️ https://t.co/QdfEtO3Hpp