'Go back to Pakistan' tweet leads to Tory activist being suspended

CONSERVATIVES have suspended an activist after she tweeted that a Bradford-born MP should "go back to Pakistan".

The party said Theodora Dickinson was being investigated tonight (Friday) after targeting Labour shadow minister Naz Shah.

Ms Dickinson responded to a post showing the Bradford West MP discussing her experience of poverty and recalling childhood trips to Scarborough, 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."

Ms Dickinson tweeted in response to a speech the MP made in a House of Commons debate on free school meals.

In the speech, Ms Shah accused ministers of having "no real understanding, care or emotion" about the extent of child poverty in the UK.

In the clip, the Labour politician - who was born in Bradford and now represents the city - spoke of her experience, being "palmed off" to social services when she was a child, separated from her family and taken on trips to Scarborough, adding "that is what poverty is".

Addressing the house, Ms Shah said: "It's not a laughing matter for children to be raised in poverty and not have food.

"Because let me explain what it's like. I'm happy to explain what it's like to members opposite who think it's funny.

"What it's like to live in poverty is when you're palmed off as a child like I was to social services to go away to Scarborough for a week like I did. The only memories I have of that time are I used to go bird watching. It was awfully cold and staying in a dorddressing the house, Ms Shah said: "It's not a laughing matter for children to be raised in poverty and not have fooBecause let me explain what it's like. I'm happy to explain what it's like to members opposite who think it's funny.

"What it's like to live in poverty is when you're palmed off as a child like I was to social services to go away to Scarborough for a week like I did. The only memories I have of that time are I used to go bird watching. It was awfully cold and staying in a dormitory.

"Actually, only this afternoon I rang my sister to ask her, do you remember when we used to go to Scarborough because mum used to send us there for summer holidays? That is what poverty is. It is not memories you want to recall as an adult, even in my mid-40s."