Fashion designer and BBC Clothes Show personality Jeff Banks has sparked debate by declaring that Whitechapel now feels like "a different country and language" compared to his memories. The 82-year-old visited his former haunts earlier this week, following controversial comments from Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe about Britain being "colonised by immigrants."
Banks' Nostalgic Visit to Whitechapel
In a video shared on his Facebook and Instagram accounts, Banks expressed dismay at the changes in Whitechapel Road, stating it had lost its "Londoner sense of humour." He reminisced about dressing impeccably in English-cut suits to enjoy the area's vibrant live jazz scene, noting that pubs required patrons to be "immaculate."
Accompanying his video, Banks wrote: "My journey today left me with a feeling that everything had changed beyond recognition. An unimaginable change! No Eastenders. No Greeks. No Jews. No Turks. No Londoner sense of humour. A different country and language."
Connection to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Comments
Banks acknowledged that Sir Jim's "choice of words may not have been as selective as possible but the sentiment resonated!" The billionaire Ineos boss later apologised for offending people with his language, though the underlying sentiment struck a chord with Banks' observations.
Viral Police Confrontation in Whitechapel
This comes amid a viral social media video showing a female Metropolitan Police officer defending a Christian preacher in Whitechapel. In the footage, a group tells the preacher, "This is a Muslim area," prompting the officer to assert, "In this country, we have freedom of speech."
The officer, widely praised for her handling of the situation, advised the group to walk away if they didn't want to listen, emphasising that the preacher was not in their home. The confrontation occurred just yards from the East London Mosque, one of Western Europe's largest, accommodating up to 7,000 worshippers.
Details of the Religious Dispute
In the video, a male clutching a microphone and Bible preaches the Gospel, with one bearded individual shouting, "Talk about Jesus, don't talk about Muhammad." Another man shoves the preacher, causing him to stumble, while others accuse him of "spreading hatred" and insulting Islamic symbols.
The preacher denied these allegations, explaining he was quoting Muhammad about donkeys seeing Satan. The officer reiterated that freedom of speech allows all faiths to preach, though she acknowledged the risk of assault in what she called a "heavily Muslim community."
Demographic Context and Reactions
According to the latest Census, 52.2% of Whitechapel's 18,841 residents identify as Muslim, adding context to the "Muslim area" claim. The incident has ignited discussions about immigration, cultural change, and religious freedoms in urban Britain.
Banks' lament and the police confrontation highlight ongoing tensions in multicultural areas, with traditional London identities evolving amidst new demographic realities. The Met Police has been contacted for further comment on the incident.
