Keir Starmer vows to meet former Labour mayor who quit party over racism

12 October 2020, 15:19

Starmer offers to meet Rakhia Ismail to discuss concerns

By Sam Sholli

Speaking on LBC's Call Keir, Sir Keir Starmer vowed that he will meet the UK’s first hijab-wearing mayor who resigned from the Labour Party citing concerns over racism.

Cllr Rakhia Ismail, who left her post as Mayor of Islington last month, left the party while claiming that she had been left marginalised by a “system that allows white men to have what they want, when they want”.

Speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari this morning, Cllr Ismail did not accuse Sir Keir of racism directly but she did say he was "not interested to listen to people like [her]".

Having met with Sir Keir during his Labour leadership campaign, Cllr Ismail also told Nick of her unhappiness at "still waiting" for the Labour leader to endorse a campaign to tackle knife crime that she was involved with.

the UK’s first hijab-wearing mayor who quit the Labour party citing racism told LBC why she quit.

However, the Labour leader this morning himself responded to Cllr Ismail's claims during his monthly phone-in Call Keir.

Sir Keir said: "I met Rakhia during the leadership campaign along with another whole bunch of community leaders, and we had a very good discussion including about knife crime..."

He added: "Actually on knife crime in particular, I have been heading up a task-force for the last two years in Camden to tackle the problem...We've done a huge amount of work, including with the Somali community.

Keir Starmer "really worried" about Premier League proposals

"I have worked closely with the Somali community, both locally and nationally. I do listen a lot, get out a lot..."

The Labour leader then promised to meet Cllr Ismail, who had been a Labour member for more than 12 years before leaving the party.

Sir Keir said: "If Rakhia feels that notwithstanding all of that she has not been heard in this, then what I would say back to her on-air is I'll meet her and talk it through with her."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Nick Ferrari and caller Eve

Nick Ferrari and caller Eve go back and forth over the Middle East conflict

LBC caller Paula drives home the impact of PIP benefit cuts

LBC caller Paula drives home the impact of disability benefit cuts

'Iran has a democratic candidate, unlike Iraq...'

Iraqi caller explains why Iran-Iraq comparisons fall short

It's not fair

Nick Ferrari loses his patience with caller over ‘non-dom’ tax scheme

Caller Som has a warning from the past as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates.

Caller Som has a warning from history as Israel and Iran conflict escalates

LBC callers react to Israel’s ‘risky’ strike on Iran

LBC callers react to Israel’s ‘risky’ strike on Iran

Caller in Israel warns against Iran becoming a nuclear-armed state

Caller in Israel warns against Iran becoming a nuclear-armed state

Caller points out that Israel denied entry to Labour MPs as UK comes under fire for new sanctions

Caller points out that Israel denied entry to Labour MPs as UK comes under fire for new sanctions

Caller Layla

Caller Layla fears for her daughters following Kemi Badenoch's Burqa comments

Caller Barry

LBC caller backs the government's reversal on the winter fuel allowence

Nick Ferrari is unsure about caller Bill's proposal to turn migrant hotels into prisons

Nick Ferrari is unsure about caller Bill's proposal to turn migrant hotels into prisons

Call the Cabinet: Nick Ferrari is joined by Environment Secretary Steve Reed to take your calls

Call the Cabinet: Nick Ferrari is joined by Environment Secretary Steve Reed to take your calls

LBC reaction: 1200 Channel migrants arrive in a single day

LBC reaction: 1200 Channel migrants arrive in a single day

Exclusive
'Elite mindset' and ‘left-wing opinion’ fuelling migrant crisis says Nick Ferrari as he slams government

'Elite mindset' and ‘left-wing opinion’ fuelling migrant crisis says Nick Ferrari as he slams the government

Reform, racism and ‘a perverse Batman’ | LBC’s best callers of the week

Reform, racism and ‘a perverse Batman’: LBC’s best callers of the week

'Farage is a media-made man'

David and Nick debate whether 'tiny and ridiculous' Reform gets too much airtime