A Conservative peer has resigned from the parliamentary grouping of the party because of “how far right my party has moved”.
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, who was made a peer by David Cameron in 2007 and later served as chair of the Conservatives, explained her decision on social media.
She wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that I have today informed my whip and decided for now to no longer take the
Conservatives whip.”
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Shortly after her statement was released, the Conservative Party said: “Complaints were received regarding divisive language allegedly used by Baroness Sayeeda Warsi. Baroness Warsi was informed an investigation was about to begin earlier this week.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that all complaints are investigated without prejudice.”
Baroness Warsi added: “This is a sad day for me.
“I am a Conservative and remain so but sadly the current party are far removed from the party I joined and served in cabinet.
“My decision is a reflection of how far right my party has moved and the hypocrisy and double standards in its treatment of different communities.
“A timely reminder of the issues that I raise in my book Muslims Don’t Matter.”
Not taking the whip means Baroness Warsi will no longer be expected to vote along party lines, but will also not get the benefits of being part of the parliamentary grouping.
She has been a vocal campaigner on Islamophobia within the Conservative Party, and has not been afraid to criticise senior figures.
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Her final position in government was as a Foreign Office minister in 2014, which she resigned from over the government’s stance on Gaza.
She claimed the UK’s stance at the time was “morally indefensible” and proceeded to call for a weapons embargo to be placed on Israel.
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More recently, she accused Grant Shapps of igniting a “weird culture war spat around wokery” when he was defence secretary.
And last year she called Suella Braverman “dangerous” and “divisive” over comments the former home secretary made about pro-Palestine marches.
