Outcry as BBC man says Etonian can’t be mayor
FORMER Tory leadership contender Rory Stewart should not stand for London Mayor because he is a “white Etonian” and not black or Muslim, a BBC Today presenter suggested yesterday.
Radio 4’s Justin Webb sparked the latest race row when he told the ex-cabinet minister that standing against the Conservative candidate, who is black, and current mayor Sadiq Khan, who is Asian, is “not really 2020”.
Mr Stewart, 46, announced on Friday he is stepping down as an MP to stand as an independent in the mayoral elections in May against Shaun Bailey and incumbent Mr Khan.
He was one of 21Tory MPS who had the whip removed for failing to back Boris Johnson’s Brexit plans last month.
Mr Webb, 58, grew up in Bath and attended independent Sidcot School in Somerset, where boarding fees cost at least £27,540 a year. He then studied at the London School of Economics.
He made the comments as Mr Stewart appeared on the show to discuss his mayoral campaign.
Mr Webb said: “You mention that you are proud of the diversity of the mayoral race in London. You are a white guy and old Etonian. It’s not really 2020 is it, really, to be challenging a black man who is the Conservative candidate and the Muslim mayor?”
The Oxford-educated former diplomat replied: “You are absolutely right, it is a fantastically diverse group of candidates which reflects a diverse city.”
Mr Webb then added: “And you are saying don’t elect them, elect a white Etonian...” When Mr Stewart said he was “definitely not saying that”, Mr Webb retorted: “It kind of is what you are saying, isn’t it, because you are standing?”
Defending himself, Mr Stewart said: “I am saying that you should not be voting for me on the basis of my ethnicity but on the basis of the fact that I feel that, as an ex-cabinet minister, as someone who has run big projects internationally, as somebody who can get things done and has proved in government, I can turn things around. I can make the role of mayor something bigger than it has been in the past. I think there is huge potential in the role.”
However, the interview was criticised for focusing on Mr Stewart’s education and race rather than his policies.
Race and equalities activist Sir Simon Woolley: “It is a silly comment from Justinwebb.
“London is a multicultural metropolis and one would expect that to be reflected in the campaign to be mayor.
“What is important is that each candidate has a clear agenda to tackle some of the pressing matters facing London – including race inequality, knife crime and job opportunities.
“People vote on policies that will change their lives, and that can come from a black, white, female or male mayor.
“They should focus on both the policies and their belief of the individual that will best deliver them.”
A BBC spokeswoman said: “This was an interview and as the interviewer Justin Webb was asking Rory Stewart questions, one of which was about the diversity of the mayoral race.
“He was not making suggestions about whether or not he should stand as a candidate.”
During the interview Mr Stewart claimed that political parties are “dragging towards the extremes”, and as an independent he did not carry the baggage of party manifestos so could “really focus” on London’s interests.