Boris Johnson's minority adviser offered to quit citing 'unbearable' tension in Downing Street

Boris Johnson’s adviser on minorities offered to resign citing “unbearable” tension in Downing Street.
Boris Johnson’s adviser on minorities offered to resign citing “unbearable” tension in Downing Street.Boris Johnson’s adviser on minorities offered to resign citing “unbearable” tension in Downing Street.
Boris Johnson’s adviser on minorities offered to resign citing “unbearable” tension in Downing Street.

Samuel Kasumu is believed to have offered his resignation over fears the Conservative Party was following a “politics steeped in division”.

In a letter seen by the BBC, Mr Kasumu accused the UK Government of turning its back on the progress made under David Cameron.

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He said: “It is well documented that black and Asian people are significantly less likely to vote Conservative, despite often having values that are aligned.“The gains made under David Cameron in 2015 have been eroded in subsequent elections.

“Though we now have a coalition of voters to provide us with a much coveted majority, I fear for what may become of the party in the future by choosing to pursue a politics steeped in division.

“I fear that empathy is a word not conducive to the culture that has been developed and the damage that is often caused by our actions is not much considered.

“As someone that has spent his whole adult life serving others, that tension has been at times unbearable.”

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Mr Kasumu also hit out at the actions of equalities minister Kemi Badenoch, who launched an online tirade against a journalist last week.

Ms Badenoch had accused HuffPost reporter Nadine White of “creepy and bizarre” behaviour and published correspondence between the reporter and officials on Twitter.

After Number 10 refused to condemn her actions, Mr Kasumu wrote that “more concerning than the act, was the lack of response internally”.

He added: "Last week, the actions of a Minister were concerning. I believe the Ministerial Code was breached.

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“It was not OK or justifiable, but somehow nothing was said.

“I waited, and waited, for something from the senior leadership team to even point to an expected standard, but it did not materialise.”

Labour are now calling for an investigation into Ms Badenoch’s behaviour.

In the letter to head of the civil service Simon Case, Labour's shadow women and equalities secretary Marsha de Cordova said: "Ms Badenoch's actions last week fell well below the standards and behaviours expected of a government minister.

"Ms Badenoch has exposed Ms White to a torrent of abuse online which has necessitated the lockdown of her Twitter account".

Mr Kasumu is now believed to have retracted his resignation letter.

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