Paul Scully: Former minister and MP sorry for 'no-go' areas comment

London Conservative MP and former minister Paul Scully has apologised for suggesting there are "no-go" areas in parts of Tower Hamlets.

He made the comment in radio and TV interviews on Monday, prompting accusations of Islamophobia and a rebuke from the prime minister.

Mr Scully had also said some people were "fearful for going out".

In a BBC Radio London interview on Tuesday, he said he "put his hands up" for using language he "regrets".

Mr Scully added he was "frustrated in the language" he used and lost "nuance" in the issues he wanted to get across.

The former minister for London, who was also a former mayoral candidate, said: "What I was trying to say, I thought I was being specific about but clearly not, is the fact that a lot of the conversation, and the vacuum that's allowed to then be filled by populists, is when prejudice builds up because of perception.

"There are areas of this country where there are tiny, tiny groups of people that cause people to feel uncomfortable in particular areas.

"That might be a white gang, that might be a black gang, a Muslim gang, whatever, and that then tends to write off whole communities for some people," he added.

The Sutton and Cheam MP described this perception about some communities as "totally inappropriate".

His original comments on Monday - made to BBC Radio London, and later BBC London TV - criticised fellow MP Lee Anderson's remarks that Islamists had "got control" of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

He began the radio interview by saying Mr Anderson's comments were "wrongheaded" and "really inflammatory" and that he needed to apologise, but he could see what he was "trying to drive at".

However, Mr Scully went on to say parts of Tower Hamlets as well as Sparkhill in Birmingham were "no-go areas".

He then defended those comments in the later TV interview, saying people were concerned by "neighbourhoods changing".

He added: "There are areas where there are a tiny minority of people who make people uncomfortable about not being of their religion, of their culture, who are misinterpreting their own doctrine. That's not to say Tower Hamlets itself is a no-go area."

Mr Scully's remarks have drawn criticism from Tower Hamlets Council, which said it was "surprising and extremely disappointing".

A spokesperson for the borough said the area was actually an "example of how people of all backgrounds get on together".

Tower Hamlets residents also spoke of their anger about what was said.

During a visit to the borough, one woman told BBC London the MP's comments were "completely inaccurate" and "really offensive".

"I think he's just chatting a load of nonsense to be honest because Tower Hamlets is a very inclusive area," she said.

One man told the BBC in Whitechapel: "Of course, if you come here you'll recognise that most people are Muslim. But that shouldn't hold you back. Why does that have to hold you back?"

He added: "I'm Muslim and I'm in a Christian country, so should I say, 'I'm scared to be here because it's a Christian country?'."

One woman said Mr Scully's apology was "worthless" if it's not backed up by actions.

Another woman commended the MP for apologising, but added: "Once it's out there, it's out there. It's going to cause people to feel a certain kind of way."

Covering an area of about eight sq miles (21 sq km) in London's East End and with a population of more than 310,000 people, Tower Hamlets is the most densely populated borough in England.

It also has the fastest-growing number of residents, according to the 2021 census.

In the same census, just over 51% of the population said they were born in England, while Bangladesh was the country that was next most represented, with about 14% of people saying it was their place of birth.

The borough also has extremes in terms of deprivation and wealth.

Parts of borough have high levels of poverty, but the area also covers very wealthy places like Canary Wharf and the edges of the City.

The council spokesperson added the area was "one of the most popular places in the country to live, work and visit".

"Tower Hamlets is a microcosm of an international city. We are an example of how people of all backgrounds get on together in one of the most diverse places in the country.

"In fact, 87% of people said they get on with each other in our recent survey of residents," they added.

Meanwhile, a source close to London mayor Sadiq Khan accused Mr Scully's original comments of "resorting to a notorious Islamophobic trope", adding: "As a former government minister, Mr Scully should be striving to unite our communities, not sending out deeply divisive messages about Muslims."

Ali Milani, of the Labour Muslim Network, said comments like the ones made by Mr Scully had "real world consequences".

"I've had death threats through my door as a result of comments made in the House of Commons and by MPs, so Muslims become less safe as a result of the comments that are made."

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