Downing Street has backed the Conservative deputy chair, Lee Anderson, after he was criticised for saying people complaining about being housed on the Bibby Stockholm barge after entering the UK illegally should “fuck off back to France”.
Anderson made the comments in an interview with the Daily Express, after the transfer of asylum seekers to the barge was delayed by safety concerns and legal challenges.
He won the backing of Alex Chalk, the justice secretary, who said that while Anderson’s language was “salty” his “indignation is well placed”, and the comments were “not bigotry at all”.
No 10 also said the justice secretary was speaking for the government in backing Anderson. » | Rowena Mason Whitehall editor, Diane Taylor and Sammy Gecsoyler | Tuesday, August 8, 2023
The Tories have reached a new low now! Is Lee Anderson an example of the calibre of today’s Conservative politicians? Of course, he must be. My God! Such a disgraceful man; such a disgraceful way for a man in his position to speak! Sunak should kick this common bully, this bruiser out of the party, not endorse his disgusting outburst. This sort of obscene, obnoxious and intemperate utterance should make all decent Brits feel ashamed of their country. – © Mark Alexander
