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A member of Parliament from the Conservative party has surrendered their membership after being convicted of racially abusing an activist.
A source within the government reported that Bob Stewart, member of parliament for Beckenham, has informed the chief whip Simon Hart of his intention to serve as an independent while he appeals his conviction.
The Prime Minister was urged by Labour and the Liberal Democrats to take action against the “completely unacceptable” actions of the 74-year-old Conservative backbencher.
Stewart was convicted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for making racially offensive remarks to an activist, instructing them to “return to Bahrain.”
Last December, during a dispute outside the Foreign Office’s Lancaster House in Westminster, Stewart made a statement to Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei saying “you are taking funds from my nation, leave!” Stewart was present at a function held by the Bahraini embassy.
Stewart was fined £600 and had to pay additional legal costs of £1,435. He stated in court, “I am not a racist” and expressed concern for his reputation in front of numerous ambassadors.
During the court proceedings, it was stated that the protester had loudly asked: “Bob Stewart, what price did you accept for your loyalty to the Bahraini government?”
Prior to the removal of the whip, Anneliese Dodds, chairwoman of the Labour Party, stated: “This is another egregious scandal under the Conservative party. Rishi Sunak must take swift action to address this issue.” Wendy Chamberlain, chief whip of the Liberal Democrats, had cautioned that keeping the whip in place would “send a harmful message that such behavior is permissible.”
We have reached out to Mr. Stewart’s office for a statement.
The Conservative Party stated that there were no additional updates regarding the situation.
Source: independent.co.uk
