Conservative party MP Paul Scully's remark that parts of the London borough have become a “no-go” zone has upset the residents and businesses in Tower Hamlets.
The former London minister, who represents Sutton and Cheam, on Tuesday said he regrets sparking a controversy by claiming that parts of Tower Hamlets and Birmingham have become “no-go areas”.
He made these remarks during an interview with BBC London radio on Monday while condemning MP Lee Anderson for claiming that London Mayor Sadiq Khan was under the control of Islamist extremists.
During the interview he had said, "Parts of Birmingham, Sparkhill, where there are no-go areas, mainly because of doctrine, mainly because of people using, abusing in many ways, their religion because it is not the doctrine of Islam, to espouse what some of these people are saying.
"That, I think, is the concern that needs to be addressed."
Both Tower Hamlets and Sparkhill have large Muslim populations.
His remarks were condemned by Labour MPs Apsana Begum and Rushanara Ali, whose constituencies cover Tower Hamlets.
A source close to London mayor told BBC that Scully was resorting to a 'notorious Islamophobic trope' with highly offensive and untrue claims.
Tower Hamlets residents who spoke to the Standard have refuted Scully's claims.
Trish Donnelly, a retail worker who had lived in the area for over 35 years, told the Standard that she hasn't come across any 'no go areas'. In fact the area is very multicultural, welcoming, and has an old London charm.
Another resident Ali Sarwar, a restaurant worker, said MP's comments were hurtful and incorrect.
He conceded that there was crime in the area, "but that is the same for every big city".
Last year Scully ran to be the capital's next Conservative mayoral candidate, but failed to make it to the shortlist.
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During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)