FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:media@hopenothate.org.uk// 0207 952 1183 

HOPE not hate condemns Lee Anderson's hateful comments

HOPE not hate, the UK's leading campaign group against the far right, condemns Lee Anderson MP's comments that asylum seekers should "f*** off back to France".

Georgie Laming, Director of Campaigns at HOPE not hate said:

"Lee Anderson is Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, right at the heart of his party. They've defended his words and it's morally reprehensible.

Words have consequences. HOPE not hate has recorded a huge increase in far-right anti-migrant activity. When will the Government recognise their language matters?

The Conservative Party is rapidly adopting dangerous and divisive tactics. This has to be challenged."

HOPE not hate research into far-right anti-migrant activity

• HOPE not hate recorded a102% increasein far-right anti-migrant activity from 2021 to 2022.

• HOPE not hateresearchfinds link between Government language and anti-migrant activity:
• Far-right engagement on migration is increasing as the Government's ‘Stop the boats' campaign ramps up. HOPE not hate found a 149% increase in messages on anti-migrant far-right channels on Telegram from 2021 to the first months of 2023.
• Far-right activity online spikes around key Government announcements. In an example from May 2022, an announcement by Boris Johnson that 50 asylum seekers had been told they would be sent to Rwanda led to a 72% increase in messages about migration in far-right groups on Telegram.

Notes to editors: 

• HOPE not hate is the UK's leading anti-fascist campaign group which monitors and tackles the far-right.  
• Spokespeople from HOPE not hate are available for further comments and broadcast interviews.  
• HOPE not hate has been monitoring the rise in far-right anti-migrant activity in the UK.

Contact:  

hopenothate.org.uk|@hopenothate|media@hopenothate.org.uk| 0207 952 1183 

HOPE not hate uses research, education and public engagement to challenge mistrust and racism, and helps to build communities that are inclusive, celebrate shared identities and are resilient to hate.