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The deputy prime minister has refused to say on Sky News whether Lee Anderson is “racist” as he backed the decision to suspend him from the Conservative Party following his attack on Sadiq Khan.

Mr Anderson claimed “Islamists” had “got control” of the London mayor whom he claimed had “given our capital city away to his mates”.

His comments on GB News sparked condemnation from across the political divide, including from Tory peer Baroness Warsi who said she was “really disturbed by where the Conservative Party has gone”.

On Sunday afternoon, Mr Anderson tweeted a picture of a pint of beer with the caption: “In the Dog House”.

“A random lady called Sue called in yesterday and left a fiver behind the bar to get me a pint,” he wrote.

“I don’t know you Sue but cheers.”

Earlier on Sky News deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden said the MP for Ashfield had used the “wrong words” against Mr Khan, and that “words matter”.

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Deputy PM condemns Anderson’s comments but refuses to answer if the Conservative party regards him as racist.

Appearing on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Mr Dowden explained that Mr Anderson “was given the opportunity to apologise and he didn’t do so, so therefore we removed the whip”.

Politics latest: Deputy PM refuses to say whether Anderson is racist

Asked by Sir Trevor whether the suspension of Mr Anderson meant the party regarded him as “racist” – or suspected him of being so – Mr Dowden twice refused to address the question and repeated that the Ashfield MP had used “the wrong words”.

Lee Anderson during the launch of the Popular Conservatism movement.
Pic: PA
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Lee Anderson. Pic: PA

Speaking to Sky News, Conservative peer Baroness Sayeeda Warsi – who was the first Muslim woman to serve in cabinet when appointed minister without portfolio in 2010 – claimed a new generation of Conservatives were “dragging this great party… into the gutter”.

Baroness Warsi said that “not only is there a hierarchy of racism” in the Tory Party today, “anti-Muslim racism is being used as an electoral campaign tool” and that Muslims “don’t matter” and were considered “fair game”.

She added: “I’m really disappointed in Oliver, I expect better of him that there’s the insane squad and the sane squad in our party – and I expected him to be part of the sane squad.

“And what he said today was that Lee Anderson had not lost his whip because of his racist remarks, but because he had refused to apologise for his racist remarks.”

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Baroness Warsi says the Conservative Party was being ‘dragged into the gutter’.

The Tory peer drew comparisons with how Labour handled accusations of antisemitism following its decision to withdraw support for its candidate in Rochdale, who claimed Israel allowed the 7 October Hamas attack to take place in order to justify its invasion of Gaza.

“If Labour had turned around and said, ‘Well, that’s it, now he’s apologised, so we’re going to allow him to carry on as the Labour candidate’ – the Conservative Party, my colleagues would have been up in arms,” she said.

“And so what we’re now suggesting is that it’s okay to be racist, but as long as you apologise, there are no consequences. And that’s a really, deeply dangerous place for us to get into.”

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Conservative MP Robert Buckland told Sky News he ‘can’t see how [it] can be the case’ that Mr Anderson stands as a candidate for the party in the next election.

Mr Anderson, who resigned as deputy party chairman over Rishi Sunak’s controversial Rwanda bill, was suspended on Saturday afternoon after comments he made on GB News prompted widespread criticism.

The MP, who was a Labour councillor before defecting to the Tories, told the channel: “I don’t actually believe that the Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is they’ve got control of Khan and they’ve got control of London… He’s actually given our capital city away to his mates.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was “right” that Mr Anderson lost the whip for what he called an “appalling racist and Islamophobic outburst”, while former Conservative chancellor Sir Sajid Javid branded the remarks “ridiculous”.

Following pressure to act, Conservative chief whip Simon Hart said Mr Anderson had been suspended “following his refusal to apologise for comments made yesterday”.

Despite condemning Mr Anderson for his comments, Mr Dowden did not criticise former home secretary Suella Braverman for using a recent op-ed article in the Daily Telegraph to claim the UK was “sleepwalking into a ghettoised society where Sharia law, the Islamist mob and antisemites take over communities”.

Asked why Ms Braverman still has the Conservative whip, Mr Dowden said: “I don’t shy away for a moment from facing up to what is happening right now, and I think all of us need to look ourselves in the mirror and say, what have we allowed our society to become?

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“I see from my own constituents where Jewish people are fearful of walking the streets, showing symbols of their own religion, where we have hate on marches, and now we have the situation where the actual conduct of parliament is apparently being influenced by threats of violence and intimidation.”

He added: “I don’t believe the language used by Suella Braverman has crossed the line whereby she should apologise for it.”

Mr Sunak’s decision to remove the whip means Mr Anderson will sit as an independent MP in the Commons.

The former deputy party chair said he accepted that the Conservatives had “no option” but to suspend him but that he will “continue to support the government’s efforts to call out extremism in all its forms – be that antisemitism or Islamophobia”.

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As hate crimes against Muslims rise, govt urged to adopt new definition of Islamophobia in full

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As hate crimes against Muslims rise, govt urged to adopt new definition of Islamophobia in full

A long-awaited definition of Islamophobia is expected within weeks – and a former faith minister is urging the government to adopt it in full.

It is expected that the government will move away from the word “Islamophobia”, instead replacing it with “anti-Muslim hostility”.

But Lord Khan, who oversaw the start of the review into the definition, told Sky News the government must adopt the full new definition to tackle hate against Muslims.

Lord Khan. Pic: PA
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Lord Khan. Pic: PA

The Labour peer, who was faith minister until the September reshuffle, told Sky News: “I hope it’s a clear definition which reflects the terms of reference which protects people, and it’s clear.

“There’s so many definitions out there, this is an opportunity to address the big problem in our communities.

“I would request and urge the government to adopt the definition which fits within the terms of reference on what we wanted to do when we embarked on the process.

“It’s a strong message to our communities that the work that should be done isn’t being done – these are lived experiences and I am one of those people who has suffered.”

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There was a suspected arson attack at a mosque in East Sussex earlier this month. Pic: Eddie Mitchell
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There was a suspected arson attack at a mosque in East Sussex earlier this month. Pic: Eddie Mitchell

Chaired by former Conservative minister Dominic Grieve, an independent working group has been looking at whether to produce a new definition of Islamophobia since February as part of a government bid to tackle the rise in hate crimes towards British Muslims.

Its aim was to “define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim”.

From the beginning, ministers have insisted that any new definition would not infringe on freedom of speech, that it would protect the right to criticise, express dislike of, or insult religions and it would not pave the way for blasphemy laws to pass “through the back door”.

In 2021, Labour adopted a working definition of Islamophobia from a cross-party group supported by Wes Streeting, which said: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”

This old definition has formed the basis of the Conservatives’ concern with the government’s policy on this new one.

Read more: ‘Most dangerous’ time to be Muslim in UK, monitor says

Tory shadow equalities minister Claire Coutinho told Sky News: “I think we all need to be equal in the law and there is already protection in the law – if you are a victim of violence or harassment based on your religion – those protections are already in place.

“What I deeply worry about is putting one group on a pedestal and giving them special protections because that will only breed resentment.”

When pressed on why other protected groups should have a definition, she said: “With the antisemitism definition, there was an international consensus and it was combating a specific thing, which was Holocaust denial.

“If you look at this definition, it’s based on an earlier version and one of the things it said in 2018 was that even talking about the grooming gangs was a form of anti-Muslim hatred.”

Claire Coutinho. Pic: PA
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Claire Coutinho. Pic: PA

British Muslims say they still face discrimination – and without a specific definition of Islamophobia, crimes can often go underreported. According to multiple monitoring groups, hate crimes have gone up significantly, with Home Office data showing a surge of 20% last year, making Muslims the target in nearly half of religion-based offences.

However, policy groups say the result of adopting a definition could be a “fundamental social and structural change” by the back door, without democratic consent.

The Policy Exchange thinktank claimed that if the government adopts a fixed definition, activists will use it to challenge counter-terrorism laws and undermine the Prevent programme, which aims to steer people away from extremism.

Ministers are set to decide in the coming weeks on what they will adopt in the report and whether it will be published, with Communities Secretary Steve Reed formally making the announcement when that decision is made.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaks. The department is carefully considering the independent Working Group’s advice on a definition of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia, and no government decisions have been made.

“We will always defend freedom of speech, including fiercely protecting the right to criticise, express dislike of, or insult religions and the beliefs and practices of those who follow them. This will remain at the front of our minds as we review the definition.”

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The groundbreaking breeding programme that’s reducing methane in cow burps

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The groundbreaking breeding programme that's reducing methane in cow burps

Cows bred to produce less methane in their burps could prove to be an important ally in the fight against climate change, scientists have told Sky News.

A groundbreaking breeding programme in Scotland is proving so successful that the amount of the greenhouse gas produced by cattle when they belch or break wind could fall by 40% in just 20 years.

Cows and other farm animals produce at least 12% of global methane emissions, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.

But reducing levels could have a significant impact on global warming.

The gas traps 80 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide in the first two decades after it’s released. But it breaks down after only 12 years – so reducing emissions would have rapid results.

Professor Mike Coffey, from Scotland’s Rural College, said calves born in the Cool Cows breeding programme produce 2% less methane than their parents.

“It’s permanent and cumulative. So once you’ve got an animal that produces less methane, she produces less for life,” he explained.

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“When you mate her to a lower methane-producing bull her offspring produce even less than she did.

“And you just keep going on and on. Over 20 years, you can reduce it by 40%.”

Methane is produced from cows, sheep and other ruminant animals when microbes in their guts digest grass and other feed.

The amount of the gas released by animals varies, partly because of the number and type of bugs in their stomach. And that’s influenced by inherited genetic factors in the cattle.

A new DNA test made by the company Semex can predict which animals will produce less methane, allowing scientists to match up bulls and cows for the breeding programme.

IVF techniques are then used to produce five or six calves in surrogate mothers each year, rather than the one that would normally be possible.

It means scientists can pick the best animal to breed from, leading to more rapid methane reductions without any genetic modification.

‘Entirely vegan world not feasible’

Agriculture currently accounts for 10% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, with the country’s nine million cows and calves a significant contributor.

The National Farmers’ Union has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2040.

Food sustainability experts say breeding cattle that produce less methane is a significant advance, but not enough.

Emma Garnett, from the University of Oxford, said livestock still produce large amounts of manure that also releases greenhouse gases.

“Yes, let’s make things more efficient if we can, because I don’t think an entirely vegan world is a feasible,” she said.

“But it must not be used as a smoke screen for not shifting to more plant-based diets. The most effective way to reduce methane from cows is to farm fewer cows.”

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Beef consumption has already fallen by 62% since 1980, according to recent government figures.

Much of that has been because of concerns over health and animal welfare, but in recent years the climate impacts of cattle farming have become more widely known.

However, cheese consumption is increasing.

Professor Coffey said: “If you choose to eat meat or dairy, we are trying to produce it with lower impact.

“Just like if you chose to drive a car, you can choose to drive a car that has less emissions or you can choose to go on the bus.

“What we are doing here is providing consumers a choice and farmers the tools to enable that choice to be made.”

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UK weather: Four Met Office warnings in place as Storm Benjamin hits

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UK weather: Four Met Office warnings in place as Storm Benjamin hits

Yellow weather warnings for strong winds and heavy rain have been issued overnight – as Storm Benjamin sweeps through the UK.

The Met Office has issued four alerts – and has warned flooding, power cuts and travel disruption are possible.

Forecasters say damage to buildings is possible, with “a small chance of injuries and danger to life being caused by large waves” as the storm moves from the English Channel to the North Sea.

Britons who live in coastal areas are being urged to check their properties and “consider preparing a flood plan”.

Check the weather forecast where you are

The morning commute, for some, may be tricky. Filepic: PA
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The morning commute, for some, may be tricky. Filepic: PA

A yellow warning for rain covering most of southern England, the East Midlands, parts of Wales and Yorkshire came into force at midnight and will expire at 6pm tonight.

Up to 30mm of rain is expected quite widely – rising to 50mm in some places, and even 90mm in isolated areas.

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An additional alert covering East Anglia and Lincolnshire expires at 9pm.

Large parts of southeast England are also under a yellow warning for wind from 3am until midnight – with gusts of 50mph to 60mph widely possible, potentially rising to 70mph near coasts.

A final warning for wind applies in Cornwall, Devon and the west coast of Wales from 6am until 3pm.

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Is UK ready for more extreme weather?

Chief meteorologist Rebekah Hicks said: “It is worth noting that there is a greater than usual uncertainty surrounding the track and intensity of this low pressure system.

“The public should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings as the situation evolves, with adjustments to the forecasts likely at short notice.”

Storm Benjamin was named by Meteo France, the French national meteorological service.

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