• Why Jihad Watch?
  • About Robert Spencer and Staff Writers
  • FAQ
  • Books
  • Muhammad
  • Islam 101
  • Privacy

Jihad Watch

Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

UK councillor condemned as “racist,” suspended for criticizing burqa, backing burqa ban

Dec 12, 2019 4:00 pm By Robert Spencer

“People don’t enter public areas wearing biking helmets or balaclavas, so why should burkas be allowed? Not to mention the loose style of the whole outfit Muslim women wear… Think how easy it would be to conceal large weapons underneath, assuming it wasn’t a man in ‘complete’ disguise.”

We have seen criminals wearing niqabs and burqas to conceal their identities. So why is this so controversial? And how is it “racist”? What race is the burqa? What race is Islam? Absolute madness dominates the public discourse in Britain, and increasingly in the US as well.

“Conservative Derbyshire councillor suspended for ‘racist’ and ‘hateful’ burka comments,” by Eddie Bisknell, Derbyshire Live, December 10, 2019 (thanks to The Religion of Peace):

A Conservative Derbyshire councillor has been suspended after making “racist” and “hateful” comments about women who wear burkas.

Cllr Henry Thompson, who represents the Heanor East ward on Amber Valley Borough Council, made the comments on Facebook over the past couple of days.

The quotes came below a news article from The Telegraph which the Tory councillor had shared on Facebook – bearing the headline “British public back a ban on burka by two to one, poll finds”.

Cllr Thompson, who was elected in 2018, says he made the comments in a personal capacity.

He denies that he is racist, has apologised for any offence caused but stands by his comments.

Calls had been made for Cllr Thompson’s resignation by leader of the borough council, Labour’s Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams.

Leader of the council’s Conservative group, Cllr Kevin Buttery said that Cllr Thompson had been suspended from the party pending an investigation.

Cllr Thompson had said on the post: “People don’t enter public areas wearing biking helmets or balaclavas, so why should burkas be allowed?

“Not to mention the loose style of the whole outfit Muslim women wear… Think how easy it would be to conceal large weapons underneath, assuming it wasn’t a man in ‘complete’ disguise.

“The burka has been banned though elsewhere, so it’s possible and the sooner it’s done the better, as it would otherwise only become more common.

“It’s double standards that if we were to try and undertake our lifestyle characteristics in an Islamic country… it wouldn’t go down well, yet over here the opposite is acceptable.

“I don’t think I would be able to walk around for too long in a balaclava, before being stopped by the police… Even if I said it was my religious dressing.

“The fact is you have no idea who is under a burka, unless you know their voice particularly well.

“I’m sure they are forced into wearing burkas and it’s not out of free will.”

Cllr Thompson, from Langley Mill, also said that there is an “excessive amount” of mosques, which is an attempt to “change our ways”.

He said that “by tradition this country has religious buildings… churches and chapels”…

When approached by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Thompson said: “In no way am I racist.

“My comments regarding the burka, as you can see are specifically revolving around security threats, as I mentioned this more than once, and double standards of where the burka is allowed to be worn in situations where equivalent concealing items – such as helmets and balaclavas – are not.

“None of this was me taking a jab at Islam, because I have nothing against people from different backgrounds wanting to be part of a chosen religion.

“However I do share certain thoughts of many others in this country, as indicated above. If this is seen to be as racist in any way, then I would assume that expands to include all those that agree with me – whether in a political/official position or not – as also being ‘racist’?

“If the burka was worn, but had nothing to do with religion, race, gender, social class, sexuality or anything else someone could say forms a type of prejudice, then I would still be against it on the grounds I have indicated, and therefore I stand by my comments made on this matter.”

Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams, Labour leader of the borough council, has called for Cllr Thompson’s resignation, saying: “I was shocked when I heard about the comments.

“I thought the days of BNP style hate speech had gone from Heanor.

“It is absolutely unacceptable to compare the religious dress of the burka with a balaclava and I call on him to do the honourable thing and resign.

“I have no doubt that his leader Kevin Buttery will agree that there is no place in our society for this sort of blatant racism against any person no matter what religion or race they are from….

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Follow me on Facebook

Filed Under: Featured, free speech, Islamic supremacism, United Kingdom, Useful idiots Tagged With: Amber Valley Borough Council, Chris Emmas-Williams, Derbyshire, Heanor East, Henry Thompson


Learn more about RevenueStripe...

Comments

  1. Flavius Claudius Iulianus says

    Dec 12, 2019 at 4:02 pm

    “New Jersey Black Supremacist Shooting Being Treated as Act of Terrorism”

    https://www.newswars.com/new-jersey-black-supremacist-shooting-being-treated-as-act-of-terrorism/

    Congresswoman Democrat Rashida Tlaib blamed “white supremacy” for the New Jersey shooting.

    • william carr says

      Dec 14, 2019 at 8:49 am

      Many people bend over backwards to not cause offence or even discomfort to Muslims. Do they ever for one moment consider how Muslims have no trouble causing offence and discomfort to the rest of us. Tolerance is always a one way street for Muslims. I recently was on a bus when a Muslim woman in the full black blanket attire got on. She even had dark glasses so you could not see her eyes. Total black out!. I am sure everybody on the bus felt as uncomfortable as I did. It was like having a ghost amongst us. Did the Muslim woman perhaps think she was offending the rest of the non Muslim son the bus. I doubt it very much

  2. Flavius Claudius Iulianus says

    Dec 12, 2019 at 4:22 pm

    Breaking:
    “Andrew Scheer stepping down as Conservative Party leader”

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/scheer-resigns-1.5393803

    The Tories should have taken power from the Trudeau government. Will the next leader be as pandering to Muslims as Scheer?

    • Infidel says

      Dec 13, 2019 at 1:46 pm

      I’d prefer to see Max Bernier and the People’s Party emerge as the major alternative to Turdeau. There’s no reason for Canada to persist w/ a left-of-center ‘conservative’ party

      • Flavius Claudius Iulianus says

        Dec 13, 2019 at 3:01 pm

        +1

  3. Flavius Claudius Iulianus says

    Dec 12, 2019 at 4:26 pm

    “Quebec Appeals Court won’t suspend province’s religious symbols ban”

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-bill-21-secularism-court-religious-symbols-appeals-1.5394084

    Native Quebecers are all on the same page with this.

  4. Flavius Claudius Iulianus says

    Dec 12, 2019 at 4:35 pm

    Bystander who tackled London Bridge attacker says he was ‘prepared to die’

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/bystander-tackled-london-bridge-attacker-prepared-die-1.5394243

  5. Krishna says

    Dec 12, 2019 at 4:37 pm

    Seriously even for critising burqa is termed as racist by Britons?
    Many non western countries are better in free speech than UK

    • jap says

      Dec 12, 2019 at 5:27 pm

      You mean “WERE BETTER” there is no longer any free speech in the UK.
      Unless your a muslim spewing out lies and hatred for the infidel.

    • BRUCE A says

      Dec 13, 2019 at 4:13 pm

      Not Britons, Marxists.

  6. Flavius Claudius Iulianus says

    Dec 12, 2019 at 4:41 pm

    “Canadian facing 2 terrorism-related charges denied bail in Ontario court/
    Ikar Mao, of Guelph, Ont., was originally detained by authorities in Turkey for 3 months”

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ikar-mao-court-appearance-1.5392223

  7. terry sullivan says

    Dec 12, 2019 at 4:53 pm

    you have no need to apologize!

    • James Lincoln says

      Dec 12, 2019 at 5:46 pm

      Absolutely true, Terry.

      NO MORE apologies for telling the truth – PLEASE!!!

  8. ntesdorf says

    Dec 12, 2019 at 4:56 pm

    Clearly, another contravenor of the new UK Sharia Law.

  9. sidney penny says

    Dec 12, 2019 at 5:26 pm

    “Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams, Labour leader of the borough council, has called for Cllr Thompson’s resignation, saying: “I was shocked when I heard about the comments.

    “I thought the days of BNP style hate speech had gone from Heanor.”

    Hate speech? Really?

    What is hate speech?

    http://www.jihadwatch.org/2014/05/video-robert-spencer-at-cal-poly-may-13-2014

    Find the answer in the last ten minutes of this video

    at about 200.00

  10. sidney penny says

    Dec 12, 2019 at 5:27 pm

    “Nowadays, unpopular truths are dismissed as “hate speech.” The charge of “hate speech” is a tool of the powerful to stigmatize and marginalize dissent. Defending the freedom of speech and the equality of rights of all people is not hate speech.”

  11. Alice Hoagland says

    Dec 12, 2019 at 6:08 pm

    The good Councillor is correct. He is not a racist. Unfortunately, those who brand him as one do not understand the threat that Islam poses to the UK, and the USA, and the civilized world. Not from a race, but from the aggressive, violent ideology of Islam. Hardly a “religion” and hardly a “race.”

  12. gravenimage says

    Dec 12, 2019 at 6:38 pm

    UK councillor condemned as “racist,” suspended for criticizing burqa, backing burqa ban
    …………….

    How insane *is this*? There’s nothing “racist” in criticizing the horrifying Burqa.

    • Save Europe says

      Dec 12, 2019 at 7:11 pm

      It’s actually really easy for this man, who is accurate, to shut down any criticism from the Virtue Signalling Leftards – and that IS to list the Muslim countries which have ALSO banned the Burka as well. The irony would shut down all those who are against this man.

      • Infidel says

        Dec 13, 2019 at 1:48 pm

        Except that w/ today’s fact-free and logic-free woke crowd, nothing will shut them down. Instead, they’ll just double down and condemn him for even daring to challenge their orthodoxy

  13. Michael Pillon says

    Dec 12, 2019 at 6:44 pm

    He is absolutely right. Most of here in Britain are sick and tired of seeing what we call “slags in bags.”

    • Save Europe says

      Dec 12, 2019 at 11:05 pm

      I personally don’t think of them as that. They’re the complete opposite. They’re PRO Wahhabism and Salafism which means no freedom for sexual autonomy for any woman.

      And I’m sorry – but calling women slags is really disingenuous! Do you consider non Muslim women as slags as well?

      I’m guessing that every woman you’ve ‘porked’ ( deliberate irony there based on the B.S Halal doctrine) is a slag.

      Dude, I’m a Limey as well.NOT a great word to use. As I said – call them Salafists etc. Stick to intelligent appraisals.

      • Infidel says

        Dec 13, 2019 at 9:09 pm

        Save Europe

        Not everybody needs to oppose Islam at an intellectual level. Just like Islam conducts its Jihad at several levels – from bloodletting, as in Kenya and Niger, to cultural censorship and SJW activism, similarly the opposition to Jihad from different people can and should be just as varied. Like you can debate the good and bad in Islam, someone else can taunt Muslims for being savages and yet others, like the Burmese military, can either kill them or drive them into Bangalstan.

        I’m all for battling Islam and Muslims in any which way – from the civilized to the uncivilized. In short, I use Islam’s own rules when battling Islam: I don’t pretend to love the enemy, or ‘be better than them’ or any of that mumbo jumbo.

        Also, I did not read Michael Pillon’s ‘slags’ reference as meaning all women: just Muslimahs

  14. Save Europe says

    Dec 12, 2019 at 9:29 pm

    Hi Robert.

    I hope, you are able to read this. As I remain glued to the TV, watching the U.K. election results come in, increasingly, it is obvious why Corbyn was destroyed so badly.

    When Brexiteers voted OUT of the E.U., you have no idea, how many did so due to the Merkel invitation/peak of the Muslim migrant ‘invasion’ of 2015-16. It was never reported by the media, but so many I encountered, did just so, because of this.

    Similarly, people voted FOR Johnson today, because Corbyn is pro-Islam and never calls the detritus caused by this ideology ‘out.’

    I’ve met – even non Muslim Labour EX voters who are genuinely concerned.

    Ultimately, what I’m trying to say is – It would be great if you could do a piece on this trend/phenomenon.

    • gravenimage says

      Dec 12, 2019 at 9:34 pm

      I have also been following this, Save Europe.

      Boris Johnson is not perfect in his understanding of the threat of Islam, but he is solidly Anti-Jihad, and so much better than the vicious, Islamophilic and even pro-terror Corbyn. I am *so* glad to see this.

      • Save Europe says

        Dec 12, 2019 at 10:50 pm

        Great news GI!!!!

        Corbyn has resigned!
        Jo Swinson – who wanted to stop Brexit – has JUST lost her seat 👍👍👍😂

        • Giacomo Latta says

          Dec 13, 2019 at 9:53 am

          So many leftist Brits out of work today and soon they will no longer have the option of running for European Union parliament. Nowhere to promote anti-Semitism and Islam. Soon the rats using the Chunnel to enter Britain will be running in the other direction to get close to Macron. Good riddance!

        • Infidel says

          Dec 13, 2019 at 2:15 pm

          Imam Sadiq Khan can now take over as the mufti of the Labour Party, and rename the party ‘Islamic Party of the Ummah Kaliphate’. He can hire Corbyn, Livingstone and Galloway to his staff

        • gravenimage says

          Dec 13, 2019 at 9:38 pm

          Great to hear about the appalling Corbyn, Save Europe–but like Infidel, I worry that Sadiq Khan will now slither in to head Labour.

          At least Boris Johnson is safe for now, and has a pretty solid mandate.

    • Infidel says

      Dec 13, 2019 at 1:18 pm

      Yeah, Corbin’s debacle and the end of his power was a delight to behold. Especially since the UK has been the foundation of much of the wokeness that plagues Western society, very much reflected by Merriam Webster redefining ‘they’ as a singular pronoun

      There are some Tories like Sajid Javed and Priti Patel who impress me more than the likes of Farage, who split the UKIP to avoid being seen as Islamophobic

  15. andrew mckendrick says

    Dec 13, 2019 at 6:26 am

    Don`t want to spoil the party atmosphere but I still find it worrying that a third of those that voted ,cast their ballot for a Marxist fruit loop .

    • Giacomo Latta says

      Dec 13, 2019 at 9:56 pm

      From what I’ve seen of person in-the-street interviews it was long-time (from one generation to another) working-class Labour supporters that decided to abandon the ”new” Labour party and all its anti-Semitic ”intellectuals.”

    • gravenimage says

      Dec 13, 2019 at 10:04 pm

      Definitely a concern, Andrew. And Corbyn is much worse than a fruitcake. I was never much of a fan of Tony Blair, but he looks like an elder statesman in comparison.

  16. Jayell says

    Dec 13, 2019 at 9:02 am

    “People don’t enter public areas wearing biking helmets or balaclavas, so why should burkas be allowed?”

    Quite right. Most shops and supermarkets require members of the public to remove motorcycle crash helmets before entering for obvious security reasons. The same should logically apply to any face-covering that obscures identity. Councillor Thompson is also correct about loose islamic clothing – this is not idle conjecture, since muslims have actually concealed weapons (including suicide belts) this way in the past and it’s also been a well-known criminal ploy for a very long time Everyone knows this. In any case, making justifiable adverse comments about any cultural practice cannot possibly be ‘racist’ since it relates to deliberately acquired behaviour patterns and not to anyone’s inherent biological characteristics. So the business here is total rubbish and yet more proof of the mindless politically-correct kowtowing to muslim bigotry.

  17. Larry says

    Dec 13, 2019 at 10:50 am

    “Truth is treason in an empire of lies.” George Orwell

  18. OLD GUY says

    Dec 13, 2019 at 11:28 am

    Beware the freedom of speech is under fire in America as well, if we are not vigilant the jihadist will create the same rule of law in our country. Close the border!

  19. toomanyhobbies says

    Dec 13, 2019 at 7:35 pm

    excuse me but how is wanting to ban clothing that is abusive to women racist, especially since islam is a CULT comprised of every nationality on the planet and is not a race….

  20. martin says

    Dec 19, 2019 at 5:05 pm

    “Cllr Chris Emmas-Williams, Labour leader of the borough council, has called for Cllr Thompson’s resignation, saying: “I was shocked when I heard about the comments.”

    Labour, the enablers of muslim ‘right hand possession’ gangs, sanctioned by sharia law (muslim paedophile gabgs).

    • JamesC says

      Dec 22, 2019 at 12:40 am

      This illustrates why Labour was hammered in the election. When the message is unwelcome, don’t solve the problem – punish the messenger.

      I am so pleased Labour lost by such a margin: 365 Tory seats to 202 Labour. Even 202 is far too many. 3 might be tolerable.

FacebookYoutubeTwitterLog in

Subscribe to the Jihad Watch Daily Digest

You will receive a daily mailing containing links to the stories posted at Jihad Watch in the last 24 hours.
Enter your email address to subscribe.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!
If you are forwarding to a friend, please remove the unsubscribe buttons first, as they my accidentally click it.

Subscribe to all Jihad Watch posts

You will receive immediate notification.
Enter your email address to subscribe.
Note: This may be up to 15 emails a day.

Donate to JihadWatch
FrontPage Mag

Search Site

Translate

The Team

Robert Spencer in FrontPageMag
Robert Spencer in PJ Media

Articles at Jihad Watch by
Robert Spencer
Hugh Fitzgerald
Christine Douglass-Williams
Andrew Harrod
Jamie Glazov
Daniel Greenfield

Contact Us

Terror Attacks Since 9/11

Archives

  • 2020
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2019
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2018
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2017
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2016
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2015
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2014
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2013
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2012
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2011
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2010
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2009
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2008
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2007
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2006
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2005
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2004
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2003
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • March

All Categories

You Might Like

Learn more about RevenueStripe...

Recent Comments

  • Vladimir on Islamic Republic of Iran: Turkey’s Erdogan champions Islam only as a tool to further his own interests
  • John on Muslim cleric: ‘We welcomed the takeover of ISIS because they wanted to implement the Sharia’
  • Vladimir on Muslim cleric: ‘We welcomed the takeover of ISIS because they wanted to implement the Sharia’
  • Linda McGuire on UK: Muslim stabs two women in Marks & Spencer, one in the neck, cops search for motive
  • Linda McGuire on UK: Muslim stabs two women in Marks & Spencer, one in the neck, cops search for motive

Popular Categories

dhimmitude Sharia Jihad in the U.S ISIS / Islamic State / ISIL Iran Free Speech

Robert Spencer FaceBook Page

Robert Spencer Twitter

Robert Spencer twitter

Robert Spencer YouTube Channel

Books by Robert Spencer

Jihad Watch® is a registered trademark of Robert Spencer in the United States and/or other countries - Site Developed and Managed by Free Speech Defense

Content copyright Jihad Watch, Jihad Watch claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to their respective owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and you do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Our mailing address is: David Horowitz Freedom Center, P.O. Box 55089, Sherman Oaks, CA 91499-1964

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.