In response to the criticism of how the UK handled discrimination and complaints, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was interviewed for the report, commissioned by the ruling Conservatives.
A report was prepared by PM Johnson’s Conservative Party that looked at discrimination including complaints of Islamophobia and mainly the Prime Minister’s past remarks about Islam. In this critical report, British PM Johnson issued a qualified apology for the offense caused by his past remarks about Islam.
The report was conducted independently by Professor Swaran Singh who has served as a Commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
The report included several examples relating to Johnson’s offensive attitude, including a 2018 newspaper column in which he referred to women wearing burqas as “going around looking like letter boxes” and likened their appearance to bank robbers.
The British PM defended the article as a liberal defense of a Muslim woman’s right to choose what she wore.
“I do know that offense has been taken at things I’ve said, that people expect a person in my position to get things right, but in journalism, you need to use language freely. I am obviously sorry for any offence taken.”
The report quoted Johnson as saying.
“Would I use some of the offending languages from my past writings today? Now that I am Prime Minister, I would not.”
It was also noted that the party had not been active enough in challenging discrimination, its complaints procedure needed to be overhauled, and its sanctions system for those who breached the rules was unclear.
“Judging by the extent of complaints and findings of misconduct by the Party itself that relates to anti-Muslim words and conduct, anti-Muslim sentiment remains a problem within the Party.”
The report’s conclusions said.
The recommendations of the report are under consideration by the Conservative Party.
