A NUMBER of British politicians have signed a letter of support for the four US congresswomen of colour who were targeted by president Donald Trump last week.
In a letter co-ordinated by Labour MP Naz Shah, British MPs and peers condemned the "abhorrent racist and fascist chants" about the four congresswoman - Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
They wrote: “It is shocking that in the 21st century a president of the United States would speak about opposition congresswomen of colour as non-Americans. What is further despicable is that this then descended into the most evil and vilest type of politicking, in which the president silently condoned aggressive chants of ‘send her back’ referring directly towards Ilhan Omar.
“This type of racist, misogynistic and extremist political atmosphere has for decades only been seen on the peripheries of far-right, white supremacist politics."
The group also said that the "fascist tendencies of the president have been silently accepted" for too long.
The latest scandal erupted on Sunday (14) after Trump took shots at four Democratic congresswomen, telling them to “go back” to their home countries.
In a series of tweets, Trump wrote: “So interesting to see “Progressive” Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run.
“Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.”
Although Trump’s tweets sparked outrage, he has refused to back down.
In renewed attacks on the women, Trump accused them of hating Americana and said they were “spewing some of the most vile, hateful and disgusting things ever said by a politician.”
Extending his support to the four women, London mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted that love and solidarity will always trump hate.
"These progressive congresswomen represent hope for the future - their home is America, but their message crosses borders," he added.
Labour's Jeremy Corbyn, meanwhile, called out prime minister hopefuls Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt for not terming Trump's statements as racist.
Corbyn tweeted: "Donald Trump telling four Congresswomen of colour to "go back" is racist. The two contenders to be the next Prime Minister should call out this far-right hate speech for what it is."
Diwali illuminations in Leicester (Pic credit: Beth Walsh Photography) Beth Walsh Photography