Nigel Farage has urged a Reform party candidate to apologize for controversial remarks directed at David Lammy, suggesting that Lammy should “go home” to the Caribbean. The candidate in question, Dr. Chris Parry, has faced criticism for making statements that have been labeled as racist. Last year, Dr. Parry, a former Royal Navy Rear Admiral, insinuated that Deputy PM Lammy’s allegiances were not with the UK.
In addition to his comments on Lammy, Dr. Parry has cast doubt on the loyalty of several politicians from minority backgrounds and proposed that those who convert to Christianity should consume bacon as a form of punishment. When questioned about Dr. Parry’s suitability as a party representative, Farage acknowledged his patriotism but emphasized that the remarks about Lammy were excessive and warranted an apology.
Dr. Parry’s social media activity revealed similar questioning of loyalty towards other figures from minority backgrounds, including Shabana Mahmood, Sadiq Khan, Humza Yousaf, Zarah Sultana, and Anas Sarwar. His comments insinuated that their primary allegiance might not lie with the UK.
Critics, including Labour chairwoman Anna Turley, have called for Dr. Parry’s expulsion from the party, denouncing Farage’s association with divisive rhetoric. In response to the backlash, Dr. Parry defended his statements as light-hearted banter, expressing concerns about the secularization of the country and advocating for stringent verification of religious asylum claims.