United Kingdom’s main opposition party suspended membership of Trevor Phillips, the former chairman of Britain’s Equality and Human Rights Commission, after Islamophobia allegations surfaced against him.
Phillips is being investigated over his past comments, including baseless remarks on Pakistani Muslim men sexually abusing children in northern British towns. Labour’s general secretary Jennie Formby suspended him as a matter of urgency to “protect the party’s reputation”.
What did Phillips had to say?
Phillips, while speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, said he was surprised and dismayed at the move, and defended his comments regarding British Muslims.
“I’m kind of surprised that what is and always has been an open and democratic party decides that its members cannot have a healthy debate about how we address differences of values and outlook,” said Phillips.
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