City MP accuses Tory over event attended by ‘anti-Muslim extremist’

A LABOUR MP has called it “incredible” that a Tory backbencher would host an event in Parliament attended by an “antiMuslim extremist”.

Bradford West MP Naz Shah, inset, said that Tapan Ghosh held “abhorrent views” about Muslims, saying Parliament should not be “a platform to propagate and legitimise hate and extremist views”.

Tory MP Bob Blackman said he did not accept Mr Ghosh’s views, but said it was right that MPs “have the opportunity to hear evidence from people of what is happening in other countries”.

The Tory MP said Mr Ghosh had attended two events in Parliament last week, which Mr Blackman hosted in his role as chairman of the all party parliamentary group for British Hindus.

Raising a point of order in the Commons, Ms Shah said: “According to many of today’s news outlets, (Mr Blackman) hosted anti-Muslim extremist Tapan Ghosh in committee room 12 last Wednesday.

“Mr Ghosh holds abhorrent views, is on record for calling upon the United Nations to control the birth rate of Muslims, praising the genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Burma and also said Muslims should be forced to leave their religion if they come to a western country.

Responding to Ms Shah’s point of order, Commons Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said it was open to MPs to see who they wished.