The shadow equalities minister in the UK has been forced to resign over her remarks against Pakistani-origin British men whom she accused of sexually exploiting vulnerable white girls.
Sarah Champion, the Opposition Labour party's MP for Rotherham and the shadow equalities minister, was asked to step down by party leader Jeremy Corbyn after she wrote a newspaper column in the wake of 17 men, mostly of Pakistani-origin, being convicted of 90 sex and drug offences including rape, sexual activity with a child, conspiracy to incite prostitution and child trafficking.
Champion has been an outspoken defender of abuse victims' rights.
Her column, published in The Sun on Friday, said, "Britain has a problem with British-Pakistani men raping and exploiting white girls. There. I said it. Does that make me a racist? Or am I just prepared to call out this horrifying problem for what it is?"
The remarks spiralled further as they were quoted in another Sun article penned by journalist Trevor Kavanagh urging the British Parliament to tackle Britain's "Muslim problem".
Champion, who distanced herself from the 'Muslim problem' reference, said, "I apologise for the offence caused by the extremely poor choice of words in the Sun article on Friday."
"I am concerned that my continued position in the shadow cabinet would distract from the crucial issues around child protection which I have campaigned on my entire political career. It is therefore with regret that I tender my resignation as shadow secretary of state for women and equalities," she said.
The article by Kavanagh has drawn widespread condemnation, including from the Muslim Council of Britain and the Board of Deputies of British Jews after he wrote, "Thanks to former equalities chief Trevor Phillips, and Labour MPs such as Rotherham's Sarah Champion, it is acceptable to say Muslims are a specific rather than a cultural problem."
It prompted a letter to the Sun from a cross-party group of MPs accusing Kavanagh of using Nazi-like language regarding the Muslim community in Britain.
The letter, also signed by Champion, read, "Muslims currently face threats from far right and neo-Nazi groups in the UK and your publication of this article can therefore only be seen as an attempt to further stoke up hatred and hostility against Muslims."
A spokesperson for the Sun said, "We strongly reject the allegation that Trevor Kavanagh is inciting Islamophobia. He is reflecting the links between immigration, religion and crime in the context of a trial of largely Pakistani sex gangs."
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)