The UK's largest Muslim umbrella body with over 500 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, including mosques, charities and schools has accused the Conservative party of “approaching Islamophobia with denial, dismissal and deceit”.
Muslim Council of Britain published a statement on 26th November Tuesday accusing Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s party of having “a blind spot for this type of racism”.
The comments came following Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis’s accusations that the Labour party under Jeremy Corbyn has allowed the “poison [of anti-Semitism] sanctioned from the top” to take root in the party.
An MCB spokeswoman said in a statement that the Chief Rabbi’s comments highlight “the real fear many British Jews have, regarding the unacceptable presence of anti-semitism in Britain and in politics today”.
However the spokesman also referenced the broader question of allegations of Islamophobia levelled at the Conservative party. He said,
“This an issue that is particularly acute in the Conservative Party who have approached Islamophobia with denial, dismissal and deceit.
“It is abundantly clear to many Muslims that the Conservative Party tolerate Islamophobia, allow it to fester in society, and fail to put in place the measures necessary to root out this type of racism. It is as if the Conservative Party has a blind spot for this type of racism.
"British Muslims - whilst from the most disadvantaged communities and rarely allowed a voice in the public space - will listen to the Chief Rabbi and agree on the importance of voting with their conscience."
Meanwhile Chancellor Sajid Javid refused to criticise the prime minister for these remarks, added he had "explained why he's used that language".
The Conservatives have pledged to start an investigation into Islamophobia and other forms of prejudice within the party before the end of the year.
