Dr Krish Kandiah, the theologian who accused shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick of xenophobia on BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day, has invited the Conservative MP to collaborate on easing tensions over migration. Kandiah, who heads the Sanctuary Foundation refugee charity, criticised Jenrick's remarks about the safety of his daughters due to small boat arrivals, prompting a complaint from Jenrick and the BBC retrospectively editing the broadcast.
In a statement, Kandiah extended an olive branch, recalling their past work together when Jenrick was housing minister and the UK welcomed over 200,000 people from Hong Kong. He said: 'I would love to find a way we could work together to de-escalate the fear and anger many are feeling in our country. I believe we need to focus on the real challenges – housing, jobs and the cost of living – rather than ramping up anti-immigrant sentiment.'
The row began after Jenrick wrote in the Mail on Sunday that he did not want his daughters to share a neighbourhood with 'immigrant men with backward views who broke into Britain illegally'. Kandiah quoted this in his Thought for the Day piece, saying, 'The technical name for this is xenophobia.' The BBC removed some of his language from the online version, stating it was inappropriate for the faith-based segment.
Labour MP John McDonnell criticised Jenrick for 'political opportunism', while Green MP Siân Berry said the comments were '100% xenophobia' and condemned the Labour government for failing to speak out. Jacqueline McKenzie, head of immigration at Leigh Day solicitors, called Jenrick's remarks 'appalling' and warned they fuel racist tensions and attacks on migrants.
