Calls for Tory MP to apologise

A HALIFAX woman has started a petition to get the Prime Minister to hold Conservative MP Craig Whittaker to account for his comments about the BAME community.

Nabila Nosheen, 29, has created an online petition after Craig Whittaker MP made comments about the BAME community not taking lockdown restrictions “seriously enough.”

During an interview with LBC host Ian Payne, Mr Whittaker, who has represented the Calder Valley since 2010, said: “What I have seen in my constituency is that there are sections of the community that are not taking the pandemic seriously.”

Mr Payne then asked if he was talking about the Muslim community. Mr Whittaker replied: “Of course. If you look at the areas where we’ve seen rises and cases, the vast majority - but not by any stretch of the imagination all areas - it is the BAME communities that are not taking this seriously enough.”

Following local and national criticism, Mr Whittaker later released a statement regarding the interview saying: “In an age where authenticity is a behaviour scarcely exhibited by public figures, I am glad that I have chosen open, honest and frank discussion over political expediency and in light of all that I have said above, I make no apology for my comments.”

Ms Nosheen commented: “He was just using anecdotal evidence, and as an MP representing the people of Calderdale, that’s just not good enough.

“What he said is not right and it was racially biased. It’s irresponsible of him to say these things. I’m not asking for him to be sacked, but Boris Johnson needs to hold him to account for what he’s said and Craig needs to apologise. His comments were unacceptable and when he was given the opportunity to apologise he doubled down. It’s just ridiculous.”

So far over 350 people have signed the petition.

Her petition is at www. change.org/p/boris-johnsonpm-to-hold-mp-craig-whittaker-to-account-over-unsubstantiated-claims-that-show-racistbias

MORE ONLINE: Read more at www.halifaxcourier.co.uk.