Tory members suspended for posting Islamophobic content reinstated

MORE than a dozen Conservative party members who were suspended from the party for posting Islamophobic or racist content online have been reinstated into the party.

The Tories on March 18 suspended 25 members over Islamophobic comments made on social media.

Some of them had described Saudis as "sand peasants" and shared material comparing Asians to dogs.

In a letter to prime minister Theresa May, Labour mayor of London Sadiq Khan expressed "deep concern" about the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment in the Conservative party.

He said the party "needs to do much more to send the clear message that Islamophobia is totally unacceptable, as unfortunately that has not always been the case over recent years."

He explained: "I myself have repeatedly been subject to Islamophobic abuse from Conservative members and supporters.

"I have lost track of the number of Conservative councillors and members that have been suspended or faced legal action as a result of making Islamophobic comments towards or about me."

A Conservative spokesman said the party has acted “swiftly, suspending members and launching immediate investigations,” when they were made aware of instances of Islamophobia or racism.

"Our complaints process is rightly a confidential one but there are a wide range of sanctions to challenge and change behaviour, including conditions to undertake training, a period of suspension and expulsion, and these are applied on a case-by- case basis," the spokesman said.