Suella Braverman insisted a Tory Islamophobia row is “hysteria” as she urged Rishi Sunak to focus on tackling Islamist extremism in Britain.
The former home secretary is understood to believe that it was an overreaction to strip Lee Anderson of the Tory whip over his claims that “Islamists” have “got control” of London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Writing on social media platform X, Mrs Braverman said: “We need to urgently focus now on the big problem: how to tackle Islamist extremism in the UK.
“The hysteria in response to those calling out the crisis is one of the reasons why we’re not making progress.
“Language does matter but it’s time for resolute government action.
Setting out a three-point plan, Mrs Braverman added: “1. Fixing Prevent as Sir William Shawcross recommends. I started this work. It needs to be completed.
“2. Passing a law that empowers ministers to take action against hateful marches
“3. Properly holding the Police to account so they uphold the law without fear or favour.”
Mr Anderson lost the Tory whip over the weekend after refusing to apologise for his comments about Mr Khan.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Ashfield MP had been suspended because his “choice of words wasn’t acceptable, it was wrong”.
But he refused to describe the former Tory deputy chairman’s comments as Islamophobic when pressed repeatedly.
Mr Sunak said yesterday: “I think the most important thing is that the words were wrong, they were ill-judged, they were unacceptable.
“It’s important that everybody, but particularly elected politicians, are careful with their words and do not inflame tensions.”
Mr Khan said the Prime Minister’s refusal to call Mr Anderson’s remarks Islamophobic “speaks volumes”.
Mr Sunak also declined to criticise Mrs Braverman, who last week claimed “the Islamists, the extremists and the antisemites are in charge now”.
Mr Anderson’s comments have put a spotlight on the ongoing dispute over the classification of Islamophobia.
Downing Street reiterated the Government’s position of refusing to back the all-party parliamentary group on British Muslims’ 2019 definition.
