Conservative party suspends activist after telling British MP to ‘go back to Pakistan’
Theodora Dickinson under investigation after targeting Labour shadow minister Naz Shah
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Conservatives have suspended an activist after she tweeted that a Muslim MP born in Bradford should “go back to Pakistan”.
The party said Theodora Dickinson was being investigated on Friday after targeting Labour shadow minister Naz Shah.
Ms Dickinson responded to a post showing the Bradford West MP discussing her experience of poverty, saying if “Naz Shah hates this country so much why doesn’t she go back to Pakistan?!”
The Muslim Council of Britain, which has long-criticised the Tories’ handling of Islamophobia, described the tweet as “blatant racism”.
Ms Shah said: “Over the last few weeks BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) communities have been coming to terms with the racism they have faced over the years.
“In 2020 to be told to go back to Pakistan, highlights the level of racism that still exists in some quarters of society.”
Ms Dickinson, who describes herself as a political communications and social media consultant, later apologised.
“I fully recognise how offensive it was, which is why I deleted the tweet almost immediately, though of course this does not excuse posting it in the first place,” she added.
“I have written to Ms Shah offering an unreserved apology.”
The Tories, which have launched an independent inquiry into all forms of prejudice within the party, said Ms Dickinson had been suspended.
“Theodora Dickinson has been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation,” a party spokeswoman said.
Muslim Council of Britain secretary general Harun Khan accused Ms Dickinson of having previously shared an Islamophobic conspiracy theory after the Christchurch terrorist attack.
“Now Ms Dickinson tells a Muslim MP ‘why doesn’t she go back to Pakistan’. Will this latest blatant racism elicit action?” he said.
“The party must reflect and consider why it chooses to ignore widespread concerns about its institutional Islamophobia – if a truly independent inquiry is not enacted with its recommendations implemented, there will be a drip-feed of these stories for a long time to come.”
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments