Britain's strictest headteacher accuses Labour MP of racism
A headteacher has accused Labour MP, Jess Phillips of 'racist and bullying behaviour' in a row on Twitter
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A headteacher has accused Labour MP Jess Phillips of “racist and bullying behaviour” in a row on Twitter.
Katharine Birbalsingh, who was once dubbed Britain's strictest headteacher, claims her race motivated Phillips to “whip up a social media mob” against her.
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said Phillips was not racist but that any complaint should be investigated by the Labour Party.
Following a series of exchanges on Twitter with Phillips, Birbalsingh published an open letter to Sir Keir Starmer.
Katharine Birbalsingh, who was once dubbed Britain's strictest teacher, claims her race motivated Phillips to 'whip up a social media mob' against her
PAShe wrote: “Her behaviour is a clear example of ‘unconscious bias’.
"I mean that she hates me, despite not knowing me, because she subscribes to the idea that black and Asian individuals in public life owe a duty to voice opinions that match with a left-wing view of the world, or they are worthy of her contempt.”
The headteacher of Michaela Community School in northwest London said their conversation began after she inadvertently tweeted a picture of Tina Turner alongside her abusive former husband Ike Turner when paying tribute to the star.
Phillips then tweeted back: “Hold the line!” before adding: “Stay with me! Domestic abuse is never OK and we will defeat those who prop up the status quo.”
None of Phillips’s tweets referred to Birbalsingh’s race.
Some have shared their concerns with the teacher's allegations, including Sunder Katwala, the director of the British Future think tank, who said: “It is not in any way a defensible position that public figures with large followings cannot criticise other public figures.”
He added: “The allegations about racism or racist bullying require very extensive leaps of logic and responsibility and seem unjustified to me.”
When asked about the claims, Phillipson told Sky: “My reaction to anyone who feels unhappy about the conduct of a Labour MP is that they should complain through our processes and then the matter can be looked into.
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said Phillips was not racist but that any complaint should be investigated by the Labour Party
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"And, as members of parliament, we’re also subject to a code of conduct... and there are processes in place for people who are unhappy with an MP’s behaviour, to report it in that way.
“I would suggest that to any individual that’s unhappy about the conduct of a member of parliament.”
Asked if she thinks Phillips is racist, Phillipson said: “No, I don’t. But I think it’s important that, if people have concerns, if they’re unhappy about the conduct of a member of Parliament, that can be investigated as part of that process.”