Karen Sunderland, Ex Conservative Party candidate, and ‘anti-Islam’ tweet. Pic: Twitter.
Karen Sunderland, a Conservative Party candidate for Crofton Park, Lewisham, has been suspended pending investigation into ‘Islamophobic’ tweets in which she called Islam “the new Nazism”.
Sunderland, who sent the messages at the end of last year, tweeted from the account @ToryKaren which has since been temporarily restricted.
One of the tweets which raised concern was posted in December which read: “Love your optimism. The thing is, religion undermines the hard fought for values and tolerances of progressed countries…suppresses free speech and is auto immune from criticism. This is toxic and where the hostility comes from. Religion is totalitarian. Islam has become the new Nazism.”
Karen Sunderland refers to Islam as “the new Nazism” in tweet. Pic: Twitter.
Sunderland also criticised the use of hijab. In a tweet last October, she said: “Such a lame attempt you made to justify hijabs. Self indulgent to think anyone would give a toot that you showed your hair.”
Karen Sunderland refers to hijabs ‘anti-Islam’ tweet. Pic: Twitter.
Lewisham Labour mayoral candidate Damien Egan requested Sunderland’s removal.
He told NewsShopper: “We welcome the removal of this candidate following her appalling remarks.
“Islamophobic comments like this are deeply divisive and they have no place in our community.
“Lewisham’s diversity and openness is our greatest strength.”
The tweets have since been removed.
