Anderson stands firm on controversial comments
LEE Anderson has declared he won't say sorry over his attack on London Mayor Sadiq Khan as it would be a "sign of weakness." The Ashfield MP doubled down on his controversial comments, insisting "when you think you are right you should never apologise."
Prime Minister and party members condemn Anderson's remarks
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticized Lee Anderson's comments as 'not acceptable'. The ex-deputy party chairman was stripped of the Tory whip after saying Mr Khan was controlled by "Islamists," sparking widespread condemnation from across the political divide, including senior Tories like Tory peer Baroness Warsi and business minister Nus Ghani.
Anderson remains defiant despite calls for apology
Cabinet minister Mark Harper left the door open for Mr Anderson's possible return to the Tory party, urging him to retract his comments and apologize. However, speaking to GB News, Mr Anderson made it clear he does not intend to do so, stating that apologizing when you believe you are right would be a sign of weakness.
Anderson accuses Mayor Khan of double standards
In a statement, Anderson accused Mayor Khan of overseeing "double standards for political benefit" in the way pro-Palestinian marches are policed in London. He claimed that if the marches were about something less fashionable, Khan would have called for their cancellation.
Future political affiliation uncertain for Anderson
Mr Anderson will now sit as an independent MP unless he chooses to defect to another party. Rumors of joining the Reform Party have been downplayed by its leader Richard Tice, who stated there have been no defection talks.
