Michael Fabricant’s racist tweet: my letter to the Tory chief whip

Tensions are running high around the world in response to the dreadful scenes we’ve all witnessed in Israel and the Occupied Palestine Territories over recent days. Appallingly, this crisis has also led to a surge in antisemitism in the UK with vile slurs aimed at Jewish people, and Synagogues being vandalised. There has also been a surge in racism aimed at Muslims.

There is no place for racism of any kind, and no justification for it. Political leaders should understand this better than anyone else, and have a responsibility to bring communities together, not stir division. Disgracefully, yesterday we saw a horrendous slur used by Conservative MP Michael Fabricant, who used Twitter to call British Muslim protesters, “primitives”.

I am disgusted by this sort of slur. We immediately called for Mr. Fabricant’s suspension, which was covered by the media. I have followed this up by writing directly to the Chief Whip to demand action. I’ll report back if I get a response.

Dear Mark Spencer MP,

I am writing to draw your attention to a comment posted on Twitter yesterday by a Conservative MP, Michael Fabricant.

In his Tweet, Mr. Fabricant said of pro-Palestine protesters who could be seen in an attached video clashing with Met Police officers:

“These primitives are trying to bring to London what they do in the Middle East.”

Calling British Muslims “primitives” is clearly racist. Implying “they” are from the Middle East simply compounds the offense. 

Mr. Fabricant has form when it comes to racist posts on his Twitter feed. He has been criticised for posting an Islamophobic image of the Mayor of London and he used Twitter to accuse critics of your Party’s record on Islamophobia of harming “Anglo-Muslim relations” implying Muslims are not British.

The tense situation requires steady leadership from people who want to bring communities together, not hateful racism that stirs up division, as Mr. Fabricant’s comment did.

This all comes at a time when interested parties are waiting for the publication of the Singh inquiry, which was only launched after much foot-dragging, and which has now been sat on by the Conservative Party months after it was reportedly completed. The delay will leave people fearing that the report will do little to tackle widespread anti-Muslim attitudes within the Conservative Party.

Can you reassure me, and all people who want to stamp out racism within mainstream political parties, that you will act by suspending Michael Fabricant from the whip and that you will fully investigate this latest appalling outburst?

Yours sincerely, 

Nick Lowles MBE

CEO, HOPE not hate