Lord Kilclooney apologises for calling Kamala Harris 'the Indian' in a tweet

9 November 2020, 20:59

Lord Kilclooney cas come under fire for a tweet calling Kamala Harris 'the Indian'
Lord Kilclooney cas come under fire for a tweet calling Kamala Harris 'the Indian'. Picture: PA Images
Ewan Quayle

By Ewan Quayle

Lord Kilclooney has apologised after describing US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as "the Indian" in a tweet.

The former Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) deputy leader, otherwise known as John Taylor, was ordered to apologise and retract his tweet after being accused of racism.

The crossbench peer, who previously deleted a tweet describing then-Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as a "typical Indian", insisted there was "nothing racist" in his latest message.

Read more: Kamala Harris cements place in history as first female Vice President

Read more: 'America is ready. And so are Joe and I' - Kamala Harris's full victory speech

Ms Harris, a senator from California and the first Black and South Asian American woman to be elected Vice-President, was announced along with Joe Biden as the successor to Mike Pence and Donald Trump in the White House.

On Monday, Lord Kilclooney tweeted: "What happens if Biden moves on and the Indian becomes President. Who then becomes Vice President?"

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ victory speech

Later in the day the Lord Speaker, Lord Fowler, said the peer "should retract and apologise" after senior politicians said they would lodge complaints.

"This is an offensive way to refer to anyone, let alone a woman who has just made history. The comment is entirely unacceptable and has no place in British politics. I could not be clearer," Lord Fowler added.

Read more: People dance in the streets as Joe Biden becomes next US President

Read more: David Lammy's instant reaction to Joe Biden becoming US President-elect

Conservative MP Simon Hoare, who is chairman of the Commons Northern Ireland affairs select committee, wrote that the message was "Bad. Rude. Racist. Appalling." and said he had submitted a formal complaint.

Labour's leader in the Lords, Baroness Smith, added: "I am so angry about this comment. It is despicable and beneath contempt, and totally unacceptable from anyone - but especially from someone in Parliament."

UUP leader Steve Aiken stressed the peer had not been a member of the party "for at least a decade" as he criticised the "reprehensible" remarks.

Crowds gather in Black Lives Matter Plaza after Biden win

"There is simply no excuse for it. He should delete what he has said and apologise. This isn't the first time he has done something like this, but it should be the last," Mr Aiken said.

Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary, David Lammy added to the criticism, saying: "She is called Kamala Harris. Please send this awful comment straight back to the dark ages."

Comedian Nish Kumar tweeted: "This guy is a life peer. What a country."

Read more: Joe Biden says masks are 'not a political statement' as he warns of 'dark winter'

By Monday afternoon, Lord Kilclooney was made to tweet: "Whilst Biden is proud to be Irish and Harris is rightly proud of her Indian background I certainly withdraw my reference to her as an Indian as it seems to have upset some people.

"I did not know her name and identified her with the term Indian. Most people understood. Racist NO."

The 82-year-old peer tried to justify the tweet by claiming that he did not know her name until three days ago - to the astonishment of others.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Kylie Minogue has cancelled a string of upcoming shows.

Kylie Minogue cancels string of upcoming shows as pop icon shares health update

Emma Webber, the mother of Barnaby Webber (left) and Dr Sanjoy Kumar, the father of Grace O'Malley Kumar during a memorial walk to lay flowers in Nottingham, to mark the second anniversary of their murders.

'Cover-ups' and 'mistruths' surrounding care of Nottingham attack killer, Barnaby Webber's mother claims

David Beckham has been awarded a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours.

David Beckham receives knighthood as Strictly hosts and Luke Littler made MBEs in King's Birthday Honours

A protest against proposals for a new Chinese embassy will take place from 2pm at Royal Mint Court, near the capital’s financial district, while pro-Palestinian demonstrators are expected to gather in Parliament Square at the same time.

Demonstrators set to gather for multiple protests against Chinese Embassy and Gaza conflict in London on Saturday

he Prime Minister has said he has “grave concerns” about Iran’s nuclear programme as he backed Israel ’s right to self defence.

Keir Starmer voices 'grave concerns' over Iran’s nuclear programme in call with Donald Trump

Rapper O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, will be represented by a team that includes Gareth Peirce, solicitor for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his fight against US extradition, and Rosalind Comyn.

'We are ready for this fight': Kneecap’s legal team for court battle to include Julian Assange lawyer

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025.

Iranian missiles hospitalise scores of Israelis as Tel Aviv bombarded by waves of retaliatory strikes

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, visit to the University College London Hospital (UCLH).

NHS to slash waiting lists by sending patients straight to GPs for treatment

Exclusive
Lottie Tomlinson has shared her experience of grief with LBC in hopes to encourage others to open up and seek support.

‘My grief has been a long journey of healing’ - Louis Tomlinson’s sister shares heartbreaking experience with LBC

Former GB News presenter Laurence Fox at Woolwich Crown Court in London.

Laurence Fox faces trial in 2026 accused of encouraging Ulez camera destruction

The Prime Minister has said he has “grave concerns” about Iran’s nuclear programme as he backed Israel ’s right to self defence

Starmer urges restraint as Israel strikes Iran again in escalating Middle East crisis

CCTV footage shows the man sitting on the chair, which immediately bends back into the wall.

Tourist damages crystal-covered 'Van Gogh' chair in Verona museum after climbing on it for photo

Maurizio Cattelan: “America” a solid gold toilet installed on the fourth floor of the Guggenheim museum in New York City. United States of America.

Two men who stole £4.75 million gold toilet from house where Churchill was born jailed for more than six years

These funds were used to purchase three Tesla cars, a Mini Cooper and a Nissan Qashqai, Teesside crown court heard

Army sergeant jailed after stealing £336,000 of MoD funds to buy Teslas, hair transplant and 'adult services'

Handout photo issued by Counter Terrorism Policing Wales of Alexander Dighton from Llantrisant

Man who attacked officers with Molotov cocktails and a knife jailed for life

.

British tourist missing in Brazil after vanishing from Airbnb