Tag: Centre for Policy Studies

The rightwing pressure group the TaxPayers’ Alliance has conceded that it illegally sacked the whistleblower Shahmir Sanni for revealing unlawful overspending in the Brexit referendum campaign, in a case that could have a major impact on how lobbyists are described in the media. The Taxpayers’ Alliance smeared me, but I continue to fight for the truth Read more In a development that lawyers have described as “almost unprecedented”, the group has also conceded that it illegally vilified Sanni on the BBC in coordination with a network of other “linked” organisations. The alliance has accepted all the allegations Sanni made during his action claiming unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, direct discrimination and “dismissal by reason of a philosophical belief in the sanctity of British democracy”. Significantly, it has also conceded that it is liable for what Sanni’s lawyer, Peter Daly of Bindmans, describes as “extreme public vilification”. In Sanni’s case, they also coordinated with Downing Street. The network includes the Adam Smith Institute, the Centre for Policy Studies, the Institute of Economic Affairs and Leave Means Leave. The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, is calling for a full inquiry into the groups’ funding and said that in the interests of “openness and accountability” the BBC must make clear they are lobbyists, not thinktanks” as they are sometimes referred to. A separate claim by Sanni against Downing Street is still ongoing. BeLeave revelations taint the Brexit result. At the time of publication, the TaxPayers’ Alliance had not responded to the Observer’s request for comment.

Accommodating Muslims and Hindus “robs Britain of its community” and risks turning the country into a “crime-riddled cesspool” as a result, the Conservative candidate for London mayor declared in a thinktank pamphlet he wrote a decade ago. Shaun Bailey voiced concerns about the marking of Muslim and Hindu festivals, claimed children were being taught more about Diwali than Christmas, and argued Britain “removing the religion that British people generally take to” had allowed immigrants to bring their countries’ cultural problems with them. But by removing the religion that British people generally take to, by removing the ethics that generally go with it, we’ve allowed people to come to Britain and bring their culture, their country and any problems they might have, with them.” A few paragraphs later, Bailey argued it was easier for the black community to integrate into British society because there were shared Christian values. “Within the black community, it is not such a bad thing, because we’ve shared a religion and in many cases a language. Despite the revelations, Theresa May endorsed Bailey in her keynote speech at the Conservative party conference. A few hours after the Guardian article about his pamphlet was first published, May, arguing her party represented equality of opportunity, cited the example of Bailey. He was a youth worker who became an adviser to David Cameron on young people and crime before being elected to the London assembly, having previously failed to win a seat at Westminster. Andy Slaughter, a London Labour MP who defeated him in the 2010 general election, said: “It is increasingly clear that he holds views that are at best divisive and at worst Islamophobic. A spokesperson for Bailey said: “As a descendant of the Windrush generation, and someone who has worked with diverse communities for over 20 years, Shaun knows full well the challenges faced by BAME communities. Bailey needs to apologise and distance himself from this divisive bigotry.” The organisation said it would write to the Tories to see if they were aware of Bailey’s remarks prior to his selection.