Islamophobia and racism scandal on UK Conservative Party’s Facebook pages

Facebook groups, managed by Conservative Party personnel and activists, were found to contain Islamophobic hate speech, conspiracy theories, and abusive content

A collaborative inquiry by the Observer unearthed during the weekend highlighted a network of Facebook communities dedicated to ultra-low emission zones. These groups, managed by Conservative Party personnel and activists, were found to contain Islamophobic hate speech, conspiracy theories, and abusive content. Some of the discussions within these groups even celebrated acts of vandalism.

The investigation uncovered 36 distinct groups that seemingly represent grassroots movements opposed to the expansion of ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) schemes aimed at reducing air pollution. While they do not explicitly state their affiliation with the Conservative Party as part of a coordinated political effort, it has been revealed that these groups were indeed established by Conservative staff and activists.

There is no indication that the racist posts or those promoting vandalism were authored or interacted with by Conservative politicians or staff members.

Dawn Butler, the Labour MP for Brent Central, has brought this issue to the attention of the House of Commons and has written to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner urging action.

In her correspondence, she stated: “I believe that many of these posts constitute racially or religiously aggravated offenses… I find it alarming that these potential crimes have been committed within Facebook groups where several prominent Conservative politicians are active members. Susan Hall, the Conservative candidate for Mayor of London, has yet to explain her membership in groups promoting hate speech, raising concerns among Londoners that she may be endorsing such behavior.”

Ami McCarthy, a political campaigner at Greenpeace UK, commented: “Any reputable politician would have issued an apology and departed from these Facebook groups immediately after the exposure of racism, Islamophobia, and posts encouraging criminal activity. However, Susan Hall has shamelessly remained and has even joined another platform known for its hateful and derogatory content.”

Source: Newsroom