Police probe Tory candidate?s hustings turban remark

[ahlam1399]

LONDON: Police have launched a hate incident inquiry after reports that a Tory election candidate told a Sikh rival he was “talking through his turban” at a hustings event.Philip Dunne, who is seeking re-election as the MP for Ludlow, apologised unreservedly for the offence caused by remarks made to Labour rival Kuldip Sahota during a debate in a local church on Wednesday evening.According to witnesses, there was a sharp intake of breath and Mr Dunne — who has represented the Shropshire seat since since 2005 — only apologised at the end of the debate when he was told by Mr Sahota that the remarks were offensive.A West Midlands Labour source told the PA news agency the hustings included a debate on anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in the UK.West Mercia Police said in a statement: “Officers are investigating reports of an incident that took place at an event in Church Stretton, Shropshire, on Wednesday evening.”Local Policing Inspector Saf Ali said: “Officers are currently investigating the report, which is being treated as a hate incident. We take reports of such incidents extremely seriously and enquiries are currently ongoing.”According to the West Mercia force’s website, a hate incident is any incident which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someone’s prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender.The webpage states: “Not all hate incidents will amount to criminal offences, but it is equally important that these are reported and recorded by the police.”Dunne, an Oxford graduate and former banker, said: “I apologised to Kuldip Sahota for my comments last night. I apologise again unreservedly for the offence caused.”http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/com/cwEr/~4/jkQPJCyyaOM

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