Tory MP loses charity role over ‘racist’ comment
GRAY MIXES UP BRITISH ASIAN MINISTERS JAVID AND ZAHAWI
A CONSERVATIVE MP has lost his charity role with St John Ambulance (SJA) after mixing up two British Asian ministers.
James Gray, the representative for northwest Wiltshire, is reported to have confused health secretary Sajid Javid and education secretary Nadhim Zahawi during a reception in parliament last month.
He was apparently introducing Zahawi to the audience during the reception and referred to him as the health secretary – which is Javid’s job. At the time, Zahawi was acting as the vaccines minister.
According to reports, Gray responded to the error by stating “they all look the same to me”.
A source said he acknowledged to the audience that his comments weren’t appropriate but in a “lowkey, jokey way”.
The 66-year-old politician has denied making the comment and is said to have had a private conversation with Zahawi following the mixup. The incident is said to have occurred on September 8 in front of 50 guests, including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
After the news emerged, it was reported that Gray was told to step back as a commander of the SJA.
A spokesperson for the SJA said it “does not tolerate racism in any way, shape or form” and stated: “We spoke with James Gray following the event about our values as an open, inclusive and progressive charity.”
Gray has since issued a response to the Daily Mail, insisting he had only said the ministers “look very alike” and that he was “sorry if I got you two mixed up”. He added the two ministers were close friends of his and that “the notion this is some sort of racist remark is ridiculous”.
“The idea that this is racist is completely untrue,” he said. “Nadhim did not speak to me about it afterwards, he spoke to a lot of people.”
A Conservative party spokesperson said: “These comments were misjudged. We do not tolerate racism or discrimination of any kind.”
Former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal also criticised Gray’s alleged comments, stating the politician “looks like a racist to me”.
The alleged incident comes shortly after Gray was criticised for making a joke about delivering a bomb to the office of a Labour MP.
On a Conservative WhatsApp group one MP asked: “Does anybody know where Anneliese Dodds’ Commons office is based? I need to deliver something to her office.” In response, Gray said: “A bomb, perhaps?” He apologised for the remark, calling it “foolish”. “I meant no offence and hope none was taken,” Gray said.