Former Downing Street aide criticises comments made by Newark MP and shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, saying he could become "the most divisive person in our political history”
The MP for Newark Robert Jenrick has been described as one of the "most divisive” people in politics following comments he made on social media about immigration.
Mr Jenrick took to the social media platform X over the weekend to weigh in on the current political debate surrounding the Labour government’s decision not to launch a national inquiry into cases of child grooming gangs in Oldham.
It is a topic which other high profile and influential figures have offered their opinions, including the likes of Reform leader Nigel Farage, and the billionaire Elon Musk.
But it was the language used by the shadow justice secretary in his social media post which has drawn criticism, with him claiming that the issues “started with the onset of mass migration” and that the country had been “importing hundreds of thousands of people from alien cultures, who possess medieval attitudes towards women.”
Appearing on the BBC’s weekend political talk show ‘Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg’, Samuel Kasumu, a former Downing Street aide to Boris Johnson, strongly criticised Mr Jenrick’s words as having the potential to "incite hatred".
He added his belief that Robert Jenrick could become "the most divisive person in our political history" and “regularly crosses the line” in a way that other outspoken figures such as Nigel Farage do not.
Reactions from other social media users have been mixed, with many respondents agreeing as well as criticising his remarks.
The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch defended her former leadership rival, saying: "This nonsense of attacking anyone with a different viewpoint as “divisive” has to stop. We must be free to have tough conversations, no matter how difficult that may be to hear.
She added: “We need moral courage, not silencing debate through personal attacks.
“This is a classic example of why politicians stop being honest with the public, and the problems have stacked up over decades.”
The Advertiser has approached Robert Jenrick’s office for comment.
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