BORIS Johnson’s comments about women wearing the burqa gave the impression Tories are “insensitive to Muslim communities”, an independent investigation has said.
The review led by Professor Swaran Singh said the leadership of the Conservative Party “ought to set a good example for appropriate behaviours and language”.
The Prime Minister was cleared by a majority on an independent panel over a complaint he broke the party’s code of conduct following a Daily Telegraph column in 2018 which described Muslim women who wear the burqa as looking like “letterboxes” and “bank robbers”.
Johnson said he was “sorry for any offence taken” over his journalism and told Prof Singh’s investigation: “Would I use some of the offending language from my past writings today? Now that I am Prime Minister, I would not.”
READ MORE: SNP and Greens slam Priti Patel's claim Britain voted for her immigration plan
The Singh Investigation report said several interviewees who spoke to the inquiry considered Johnson’s language “discriminatory and unacceptable”.
In response to Johnson’s assertion he would not make such remarks now, the report said: “While this could be considered leading by example, the investigation would like to emphasise that using measured and appropriate language should not be a requirement solely for senior people, but ought to be expected throughout the Conservative Party.”
The investigation also examined the controversial and unsuccessful mayoral campaign Zac Goldsmith – now Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park – ran in London against Sadiq Khan in 2016, during which he accused his Muslim Labour rival of associating with extremists.
The report said Goldsmith “accepts poor judgement in the way his campaign was conducted but forcefully denies harbouring anti-Muslim sentiments or using such sentiments for political advantage”.
The report added that high-profile cases like Mr Johnson’s and Lord Goldsmith’s “give the impression to many that the Party and its leadership are insensitive to Muslim communities”.
The report also revealed that from 2015 to 2020 the Tory party’s central database recorded 1,418 complaints concerning 727 incidents of alleged discrimination. Two-thirds of all incidents reported related to allegations of anti-Muslim discrimination.
Of those incidents, three-quarters of them involved social media activity.
The report found that judging by the extent of complaints and findings of misconduct, “anti-Muslim sentiment remains a problem” within the Conservative Party.
As well as suggesting a complete overhaul of the Tories complaints system, described as “under-resourced” with an “inadequately trained team”, the report added that an “overwhelming majority” of valid complaints lodged with the Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) team were upheld and resulted in a sanction.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon coronavirus update: FM to hold briefing today
In a statement, Prof Singh said: “We found evidence of discrimination, and while the problem is not systemic the party must now act to root it out.
“Doing this will require the party to accept the findings and recommendations of this report and to implement them in full as soon as possible.
“Some of the report will make for very uncomfortable reading among the leadership and the rank and file. Change will be a difficult process that will require a completely new mindset in some quarters, and one that some party members may not like.”
Tory chairwoman Amanda Milling said the party would respond to the recommendations later on Tuesday.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel