Conservative MP Bob Blackman has hosted in Parliament an anti-Muslim extremist who has praised the genocide of Rohingya Muslims.
Blackman, who sits on the communities and local government committee, hosted Tapan Ghosh, who is an Indian Hindu-nationalist at a Commons event called “Tolerating the Intolerant.”
Mr Ghosh has previously called for the UN to control the birth rate of Muslims. He has also claimed to have created a “HIndu Defence Force” in India to protect Hindus from supposed Muslim violence.
Mr Ghosh was the keynote speaker at the meeting, held last week. He said: “Your girls and daughters are threatened by grooming but in our country our land is threatened and our existence is threatened.”
Home Secretary Amber Rudd also attended the event, but the Home Secretary has since distanced herself from Mr Ghosh.
The Home Office said in a statement: “The Home Secretary fundamentally disagrees with Mr Ghosh’s views on Islam. The Home Secretary accepted an invitation from the Hindu Forum of Britain to attend an event in Parliament last week to celebrate Diwali. She did not speak to Mr Ghosh and was not present when he spoke.”
Asked about his decision to invite Mr Ghosh, Mr Blackman told The Times: “In our commitment as a nation to fight extremism and radicalisation it is important to hear the voices of suppressed minorities.”
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
Blackman has been the Member of Parliament for Harrow East since the 2010 general election. He was also the Greater London Assembly member for Brent & Harrow between 2004 and 2008.
Blackman is an officer of the Conservative Friends of Israel group and has been part of several delegations to Israel.
