Fury as Conservative MP blames non-whites for UK coronavirus surge

An MP of the ruling Conservative Party on Friday blamed Muslims and non-white communities for allegedly not obeying lockdown guidelines that led to a surge in instances and curbs being reimposed in north England, sparking fury amongst many who demanded an apology.

Criag Whittaker, MP for the Calder Valley in west Yorkshire, one of many areas affected by the latest surge, informed LBC radio that Muslim and non-white communities known as BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) haven’t been obeying lockdown guidelines.

He mentioned: “What I have seen in my constituency is that there are sections of the community that are not taking the pandemic seriously.” Asked if he was referring to the Muslim neighborhood, he responded: “Of course”.

“If you look at the areas where we’ve seen rises and cases, the vast majority – but not by any stretch of the imagination all areas – it is the BAME communities that are not taking this seriously enough.

“We have areas of high multiple occupancy – when you have multiple families living in one household. It doesn’t specifically have to be in the Asian community, but that is the largest proportion”.

“Look at the areas. You’ve got Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees. Bradford and Kirklees have two of the largest populations in West Yorkshire.” Asked to make clear if he was referring to immigrants, he mentioned: “Immigrant and Asian population.”

The remarks prompted a flood of criticism in addition to some reward on social media for Whittaker “for saying what needs to be said.”

Many identified that a number of non-white docs and nurses had handed away after being contaminated whereas treating sufferers. Some posted photographs of huge crowds on seashores in Bournemouth and elsewhere, violating lockdown guidelines, and of occasions with gatherings with out social distancing.

Shadow international secretary Lisa Nandy remarked after Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a briefing on delaying lockdown easing as a consequence of an increase in instances: “Absolutely grim to hear the PM failing to correct these stupid, divisive remarks”.

“We’ve just had a huge rise in cases in Greater Manchester in a borough with one of the lowest BAME populations. Time to stop the blame game and give us all proper advice to follow”, she tweeted.

Nadia Whittome, one other Labour MP of Indian heritage, added: “Can’t you people take a day off from scapegoating us for your own mistakes? This made up nonsense is designed to make us angry with each other instead of a government that did too little, too late”.

Areas below native lockdowns and new curbs embrace cities with giant non-white populations, resembling Leicester and cities in north England. The Johnson authorities has arrange inquiries to discover the disproportionate methods wherein non-whites have been affected by the virus.