Craig Whittaker: MP defends saying some Muslims not taking covid critically

A Tory MP has defended his declare that some Muslims in West Yorkshire aren’t taking the pandemic critically.

Craig Whittaker stated the “overwhelming majority” of these breaking the foundations in his constituency have been from black and minority ethnic (BAME) communities.

Tory peer Baroness Warsi known as his feedback “divisive nonsense” and Labour stated they have been “overtly racist”.

However Mr Whittaker stated he would proceed to talk out to try to forestall extra deaths in BAME communities.

The row got here as restrictions on social contacts between households throughout West Yorkshire, Larger Manchester and components of Lancashire have been re-imposed in response to an increase in infections.

Mr Whittaker’s Calder Valley seat was one of many areas affected by the brand new measures, introduced at quick discover on Thursday evening.

The MP informed LBC radio there have been “sections of the neighborhood that aren’t taking the pandemic critically”. When requested if he was speaking concerning the Muslim neighborhood, he replied: “In fact.”

He went on to say he was speaking particularly concerning the state of affairs in his constituency, significantly in three wards in Halifax the place there was a excessive proportion of Asian residents, or homes of a number of occupancy.

“In case you take a look at the areas the place we have seen rises and circumstances, the overwhelming majority, however not by any stretch of the creativeness all areas, it’s the BAME communities that aren’t taking this critically sufficient.”

Requested to justify his feedback in an interview with the BBC, Mr Whittaker stated he was basing them on knowledge from the UK’s take a look at and hint system for an infection charges within the borough of Calderdale.

“The proof is that we have now three communities inside Calderdale – and we have now to see and present that we’re involved about these areas,” he stated.

“However we even have to assist these communities to ensure we do not have extra deaths”.

‘Wise conversations’

The MP stated he had obtained “hate mail” however stood by his remarks, saying “until we discuss this stuff brazenly… smart conversations” wouldn’t be attainable concerning the actions wanted to cease a resurgence of the virus.

“As a result of I’m white do I not say this stuff? I’m not going to simply be quiet as a result of some folks do not like what I’ve stated,” he added in an interview with BBC Yorkshire’s Political Editor James Vincent.

His remarks prompted a backlash from Labour MPs representing seats within the space.

Huddersfield’s Barry Sheerman stated the widespread flouting of the foundations he had witnessed had “nothing to do with faith”.

“If Craig Whittaker joined me in strolling previous pubs, as I’ve achieved previously few days, and you do not see many Muslims in pubs, he would see they’re full of individuals inside and outdoors completely disobeying the social distancing guidelines,” he stated.

“I’ve seen naughty folks breaking the foundations of each creed, race and faith.”

And Tracy Brabin, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, stated the feedback have been “not useful”, significantly since ethnic minority communities had suffered disproportionately from the virus.

Labour’s shadow equalities spokeswoman Marsha de Cordova urged Boris Johnson to take motion over what she stated have been “disgraceful” and “overly racist” feedback.

Former Tory chairwoman Baroness Warsi, who was the UK’s first Muslim cupboard minister, stated the MP appeared to be singling out BAME teams when there have been many others who had extra clearly transgressed.

Requested about Mr Whittaker’s feedback at a press convention in Downing Avenue, Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated religion leaders had an important position to play in making certain all sections of the neighborhood stick with the foundations.

“I wish to thank all of the neighborhood leaders, I wish to thank the mosques and the imams who’ve labored arduous with us to get message throughout.

“However in the end it’s as much as the entire nation to get this proper and do it collectively.”