Welsh Tory Andrew RT Davies ‘race-baiting’, says Muslim group

The article was posted on X, formerly Twitter, by controversial far-right activist and convicted criminal Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, and was widely shared.

In the GB News article, Mr Davies said: “Children shouldn’t be forced to have to eat halal school lunches, but in the era of conformity, this common sense call is derided.”

The Muslim Council of Wales has released a strongly-worded response, saying: “Andrew RT Davies is engaging in Islamophobic race-baiting, at a time when we require politicians to be the voice of reason and show moral leadership.”

It added: “The ham-fisted attempts at dog-whistle racism may lead to more engagement online for Mr Davies, but have real consequences on our streets and in our mosques.”

“Many Muslim children face bullying and discrimination in schools, and Mr Davies’ public and misleading campaign on halal meat will undoubtedly have an impact on returning Muslim pupils in September.”

South Wales East Senedd member Natasha Asghar, a member of Mr Davies’ shadow cabinet, told BBC Wales she had raised concerns with him.

She is one of two Muslims in the Conservative group in Cardiff Bay.

“As a member of the Conservative Party since 2010, I can categorically say that the party is not Islamophobic,” she said.

“Anybody with any concerns of any kind can reach out to myself or any other members of the Senedd, we are not inapproachable.

“Right now I am striving for peace and on working tirelessly to create community cohesion and peace on our streets for everyone.”