Lee Anderson has blasted rail bosses as he has claimed that commuters are “more interested in their train turning up on time” than engaging with religious messaging.
The former Conservative deputy party chairman made his comments after Network Rail announced an investigation would be launched into how controversial messages were shown on departure boards at King’s Cross Station.
Islamic verses were shown next to train time information as part of a diversity drive for Ramadan and featured a “Hadith of the day.”
One verse in particular sparked outrage from commuters in which a departure board displayed an Islamic teaching that describes people as “sinners” who must “repent.”
'Virtue signalling claptrap!' Lee Anderson blasts rail bosses over Ramadan message in Easter celebration row
PA/GB News
The departure board message read: “All the sons of Adam are sinners but the best of the sinners are those who repent often.”
Blasting rail bosses, the former Tory MP said London has become a “laughing stock”.
“If rail bosses have to launch an investigation into how these religious messages ended up on the departure board, then they should not be rail bosses at all,” Anderson told the Telegraph.
“The whole of London is turning into the laughing stock of the UK and the Government officials who state all religious festivals are celebrated need to realise that normal folk are more interested in their train turning up on time rather than engaging with virtue-signalling claptrap.”
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The Ramadan message was a “Hadith of the day.”
GB News
Network Rail issued a statement after GB News asked if it had any plans to display a message for Lent and highlighted multiple points of criticism.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We value the feedback of our passengers and while these messages were intended to celebrate the beliefs and backgrounds of some of our colleagues and passengers, we have removed them.
“Over recent years, King’s Cross has celebrated significant religious and secular events from all cultures including Easter, Diwali, Passover, Ramadan, and Remembrance Day, however we will now review how occasions can be marked in the future.”
Reacting to the display board, one irate GB News viewer said: “Public bodies, especially when they receive state funding, should not be seen to favour one religion over another - that’s even when we have no official separation of church and state.
“There should be a clear distinction between secular and religious spaces and this is blurring that boundary.
Lee Anderson said London has become a 'laughing stock'
PA
“You only have to turn a few pages in religious texts like the one quoted and you’ll find something scientifically incorrect, morally reprehensible, or totally insane - businesses and, again, especially where they’re subsidised by my tax money, should not associate themselves with such things.”
Stephen Evans, chief executive of the National Secular Society, said: “At best it’s a well-meaning yet misguided and counterproductive attempt at inclusivity.
“Such gestures suggest favouritism, generating resentment and the inevitable demands from other religious or identity groups for equal recognition.
“Religious messages like this undermine the principle of neutrality. Maintaining such neutrality in public spaces and services is the best way of nurturing a fair and inclusive society that respects all individuals, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds.”
GB News Presenter Nigel Farage reacted to the message by posting on X: “Aren't we supposed to be a Christian country?”