The Tories and their Islamophobia problem – podcast

The Conservative peer and former party chair Sayeeda Warsi discusses the Tories’ Islamophobia problem, and why they need to be doing so much more to tackle it. Plus Jim Waterson on the Facebook Brexit ads that are secretly overseen by staff of a Lynton Crosby firm

The Conservative peer Sayeeda Warsi has been an outspoken critic of Islamophobia within her party. Last year the former party chair called on the Conservatives to launch a full independent inquiry into Islamophobia, warning the Tories were pursuing a politically damaging policy of denial about the problem in their own ranks.

The situation does not appear to have improved. Last month, 25 self-identifying party members were found to have posted anti-Muslim comments on Facebook, while a further 14 members were suspended for allegedly making Islamophobic comments after a string of abusive posts were uncovered on social media.