This time the apology is from Councillor Alexander Jones, a reform UK councillor in Doncaster.
Following the recent shocking and appalling knife attack on a train that originated in Doncaster, he took to Facebook to let us all know that because the attackers involved were not English the tragic event should be “prompting again discussion about the impact of mass immigration on public safety”.
The Byline Times shares the (now-deleted) full post:
The recent stabbing incident on the train from Doncaster to London King’s Cross has understandably further raised significant concerns. Reports suggest that the individuals involved are not English, but black and of Caribbean descent. Prompting again discussion about the impact of mass immigration on public safety. While diversity is often celebrated for its contributions to society, the challenges surrounding community cohesion are becoming increasingly apparent. If our goal is to foster a safer society, we must critically and immediately evaluate our immigration policies and consider the implications of welcoming large numbers of individuals from third world cultures into our land…
Apart from the inflammatory and racist nature of the post itself, the suspect currently being charged for the incredibly violent attacks involved is actually a British citizen. No immigration involved.
Nonetheless, Reform’s councillor Jones appeared to double down when that fact was brought to his attention. It is apparently simply impossible in his mind to be both Black, as the suspect is, and English. In fact, bafflingly, if your genetics don’t directly descend from the “tribes of Angels, Saxons and Jutes”, then neither are you.
Being English transcends mere citizenship; it encompasses a rich tapestry of lineage, culture, and traditions back to 927 AD when tribes of Angles, Saxons and Jutes formed together and created the country of England. So british [sic] maybe, but not English.
His misinformation-laden post has rightfully attracted a lot of criticism.
A Doncaster Labour spokesperson told Byline Times: “In a moment of national shock following the horrific attack, former Doncaster Mayoral candidate for Reform UK chose to spread misinformation in an attempt to stoke racial hatred and division.
“Sadly, this is the behaviour that we are coming to expect from Reform UK.”The “deeply offensive and discriminatory” remarks in the words of one resident “use the tragedy to promote racist generalisations about immigration and so-called ‘third world cultures’ a local told Byline Times.
One resident told this outlet the rhetoric was “outrageous, inflammatory, and wholly incompatible with public office.”
“It promotes racial division, undermines community cohesion, and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. It is vital that such racism from elected representatives is called out and held to account.”
A Doncaster resident, Andy, who wanted to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, said: “I find these comments deeply unacceptable because they stoke division and undermine the sense of unity in our City. Statements like this make valued members of our community — many of whom were born here and are proud British citizens — feel targeted and unwelcome. That’s not what Doncaster stands for.”
In fact the hero of the moment, a train worker called Samir Zitouni who was severely wounded whilst trying to save other people’s lives, was not of “Angels” descent. He is apparently a Muslim man of Algerian descent – with at least some sources claiming he is an immigrant himself. If so, one wonders if Councillor Jones will be using that fact to prompt discussion about immigration within his party.
