A Guardian investigation has revealed that 15 Conservative councillors suspended for Islamophobic or racist social media posts have been quietly reinstated. The posts included references to Saudis as 'sand peasants' and comparisons of Asian people to dogs.
The chairman of the Conservative Muslim Forum, Mohammed Amin, called for the party to publish formal disciplinary processes. The findings come amid rising hate crimes against Muslims following the New Zealand mosque attacks, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan alleging anti-Muslim abuse from Tory members.
Deputy Tory chairman James Cleverly rejected claims of institutional Islamophobia, stating the party acts swiftly on evidence. However, the Guardian found five additional members who posted Islamophobic comments, calling Muslims 'cavemen' and claiming most followers are sex offenders.
Examples include Swale council leader Andrew Bowles, reinstated after 13 days for retweeting support for far-right figure Tommy Robinson; Pendle councillor Rosemary Carroll, suspended three months for a racist joke comparing an Asian person to a dog; and Solihull councillor Jeff Potts, readmitted after retweeting calls for Muslim deportation and a post about Pakistani hospitality and rape.
Dover councillor Bob Frost quit after three suspensions, including for joking about 'jungle bunnies' during the London riots and calling Saudis 'sand peasants'. He described the disciplinary process as 'a load of bollocks conjured up by humourless lefties'.
