Conservative MP suggests Rishi Sunak not ‘honouring his word’ on tackling Islamophobia

In a House of Commons debate on Islamophobia today, Conservative MP Rehman Chishti suggested the prime minister is not “honouring his word” on tackling anti-Muslim hatred.

He revealed to the commons that he spoke to the prime minister amid one of last year’s leadership contests about engaging with the Muslim community “in an inclusive manner across the board”.

Chishti continued: “He said to me, [that] he’s committed to that and we will work together”.

He added: “I’m waiting to see the prime minister to this day on that regard.

“In life, when I was a Foreign Office minister, when I was an envoy, I as a Member of Parliament, if I give you my word, I honour my word. If you cannot honour your word, don’t make it”.

He said later in the speech: “Why does the government not have an independent adviser on Islamophobia? Why has that role been left vacant for over one year?”.

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