Keir Starmer fails to back disciplinary action against Labour MP Dawn Butler for sharing tweet saying new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch represents ‘white supremacy in blackface’_Nhy
Keir Starmer tried to distance himself today from a Labour backbencher who shared a tweet saying Kemi Badenoch ‘represents white supremacy in blackface’ – but refused to take any disciplinary action against her.
Former minister Dawn Butler was widely criticised at the weekend for a post made shortly before Ms Badenoch became the new Tory leader, and the first black female leader of a Westminster Party.
The Brent East MP, 55, shared an X post by Nigerian journalist Nels Abbey offering ‘tips for surviving the immediate surge of Badenochism (i.e. white supremacy in blackface)’.
She later removed the post. But it was raised at Ms Badenoch’s first Prime Minister’s Questions today by Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty.
He asked the PM if the comments were acceptable, and if not, why Ms Butler had not been suspended.
Sir Keir simply replied: ‘No’ and sat down without addressing the issue of disciplinary action.
The Brent East MP, 55, shared an X post by Nigerian journalist Nels Abbey offering ‘tips for surviving the immediate surge of Badenochism (i.e. white supremacy in blackface)’.
She later removed the post. But it was raised at Ms Badenoch’s first Prime Minister’s Questions today by Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty.
He asked the PM if the comments were acceptable, and if not, why Ms Butler had not been suspended. Sir Keir simply replied: ‘No’ and sat down without addressing the issue of disciplinary action.
Ms Badenoch used her debut to demand that Keir Starmer apologises to Donald Trump for jibes by Labour figures today.
The new Tory leader slammed Sir Keir, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and other senior figures for their comments about the president elect in her debut at PMQs.
She insisted that Sir Keir must invite Mr Trump to visit the UK and address both Houses of Parliament.
The attack came after the premier opened the exchanges by congratulating the Republican. ‘Having had dinner with president-elect Trump just a few weeks ago I look forward to working with him in the years to come,’ he said.
But Ms Badenoch pointed to remarks such as Mr Lammy describing the resurgent politician as a ‘Neo-Nazi sympathiser’.
She asked whether they had said sorry to Mr Trump over dinner in New York – saying that he should be doing so.
Sir Keir is facing a major headache with Mr Trump’s stunning US election win, after tensions flared over Labour supporters helping to campaign for the Democrat contender.
The PM has also repeatedly clashed with billionaire Elon Musk, who looks certain to end up playing a key role in the Trump administration.
When Mr Trump was last president Labour MPs including Mr Lammy signed an early day motion arguing he should not be allowed the honour of addressing both Houses of Parliament during a state visit.
