Attacks on Sunak's race expose a left-wing nasty streak - John McLellan

Rishi Sunak’s arrival in Number 10 has once again exposed a nasty streak in some left-wingers who believe people of colour betray their background if they are Conservatives.

First, we had Labour MP Rupa Huq, sister of ex-Blue Peter presenter Konnie, suspended for saying of Mr Kwarteng’s radio interviews that “you wouldn’t know he’s black” because of his privileged background.

Cambridge-educated Ms Huq must have forgotten she attended £6,956-a-term Notting Hill and Ealing High School.

Then, we have Anum Qaisar, SNP MP for Airdre and Shotts, who attacked Mr Sunak by tweeting: “Just because you share the same characteristics as someone, does not mean you’ll be supportive of that community.”

Her tweet has now been deleted.

Ms Qaisar also has a private school connection, because before her election last year she taught Modern Studies at George Watson’s College where, I have it on very good authority, she told pupils about the need for better ethnic minority representation in politics.

True, but I doubt Ms Qaisar told her classes she believes the Bravermans, Patels, Cleverlys, Gosals and Gulhanes are incapable of supporting minorities because of the rosette they wear, and that her desire for greater representation is limited to causes with which she agrees.

Unlike Ms Huq, Ms Qaisar has not apologised and there is no suggestion of suspension, so the SNP must be content for its representatives to make race an issue as long as the target is a ‘detested’ Tory.