Nigel Farage is facing criticism for not taking action against a party candidate who made derogatory comments towards David Lammy, suggesting he should return to the Caribbean. The demand for consequences against Chris Parry has increased since the incident was brought to light over a week ago. Despite being confronted with the offensive remark, Richard Tice, the second-in-command at Reform, declined to condemn the mayoral candidate for Hampshire and the Solent.
David Lammy, a London-born Deputy Prime Minister, has urged Reform to address what he described as outdated and hateful behavior reminiscent of the 1950s. Labour chairwoman Anna Turley wrote to Nigel Farage, emphasizing the need to address racism within the party by removing Mr. Parry from his position and rescinding his candidacy for the mayoral election.
Chris Parry had previously made controversial remarks on Twitter regarding David Lammy’s loyalty to the UK, reigniting the discussion during a recent interview. Despite being pressed to clarify his stance, Parry evaded direct answers, suggesting that the public should refer to his social media post for context.
In response to the ongoing controversy, Reform MP Danny Kruger refrained from denouncing Parry, citing a lack of understanding regarding the context of the comments. Meanwhile, Richard Tice maintained a neutral stance, stating that he was not fully aware of the situation at hand.
Anna Turley criticized Reform for its inaction following the incident and highlighted the importance of addressing racist behavior within the party. She pointed out previous instances where Reform had taken disciplinary action against members for similar offenses, emphasizing the need for consistency in addressing such issues.
When asked about the racist nature of Parry’s comments, Kruger deferred judgment to party leadership, praising Parry’s contributions as a public figure. Keir Starmer also referenced the incident during a recent parliamentary session, accusing Farage of fueling discord and division within the political landscape.