More than a dozen Conservative councillors who were suspended over posting Islamophobic or racist content online – with some describing Saudis as “sand peasants” and sharing material comparing Asian people to dogs – have had their membership quietly reinstated, a Guardian investigation has found.
The chairman of the Conservative Muslim Forum, Mohammed Amin, called on the party to publish a set of formal disciplinary processes after the Guardian found 15 examples of politicians who posted content that was deemed objectionable.
The findings come amid growing concerns over the Conservative party’s attitude to reports of Islamophobia in a febrile wider climate, with the number of hate crimes against Muslims reported to have risen by 593% in the week after the attack on two New Zealand mosques.
James Cleverly, the deputy Tory chairman, has said he disagrees “deeply” with claims from within the party that it is institutionally Islamophobic. On Sunday a spokesperson told the Guardian that the party “acted swiftly, suspending members and launching immediate investigations, in sharp contrast to other parties” when shown evidence of racism.
But after dozens of members were suspended over alleged anti-Muslim comments last week, the Guardian found evidence of five more apparent members who have posted Islamophobic comments online – referring to Muslims as “cavemen” and claiming “most” of the religion’s followers are sex offenders.
The party’s investigation process will come under severe scrutiny after the disclosure that 15 councillors were reinstated despite apparently Islamophobic or racist remarks.
It didn't take them long to get back on the gravy train - must be elections coming up !!
I can't wait to see the excuses Viper and Bungle come up with for this lot.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... reinstated