Labour activist sparks race row
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.One of Labour's leading Asian activists has launched a sweeping attack on the "small number" of Asian councillors who have not learnt English properly and operate through a clan system imported from the Indian sub-continent.
One of Labour's leading Asian activists has launched a sweeping attack on the "small number" of Asian councillors who have not learnt English properly and operate through a clan system imported from the Indian sub-continent.
The remarks by Shahid Malik, a member of Labour's national executive, have caused a political outcry in the borough of Kirklees, West Yorkshire, where he is in line to become a Labour MP at the next election. He has been selected as the party's candidate for Dewsbury, where the sitting Labour MP, Ann Taylor, is retiring after 17 years.
Three Liberal Democrat councillors have reported Mr Malik to the Kirklees Racial Equality Council. They have also called for an investigation by the Labour Party.
Mr Malik told the Asian newspaper the Daily Jang: "There is much good practice that we can learn from Pakistan and Kashmir but I want to focus on the bad practice that is on occasions being imported to this country - politics is difficult enough without importing the worst practices from the Indian sub-continent."
He added: "I sincerely believe that the clan system is both abusive and detrimental to community development ... People ought to be supported not on the basis of their clan, religion, race or colour but on their ability to do the job and represent all the constituents in their ward. The abuse of the clan system is anti-Islamic and violates fundamental freedoms."
Mr Malik continued: "It is my contention that those best placed to carry out an elected role are those that are born and educated in this country or those that have or are able to acquire a good grasp of spoken and written English."
His comments infuriated Karam Hussain, a Liberal Democrat member of Kirklees council, who told the website Dewsburytoday: "He is saying we are not capable, but I have just been re-elected for the third time running with one of the largest majorities ever. If I am not capable, who is?
"I am very upset because he talks about us using the caste system here in the UK, which is not true."
Mr Malik said in an email that he stood by his remarks "100 per cent".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments