Rishi Sunak says he ‘loves Leicester’ amid backlash against Suella …

The Prime Minister has shared his love of Leicester amid a backlash against his Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, over comments that the city was an example of "failed" multiculturalism. Rishi Sunak shared a more positive view of the city in interviews with the ITV and the BBC on Thursday, September 28.

It follows Braverman's speech in Washington DC, in the US, earlier this week, in which she used Leicester, among other European cities, to highlight what she called the "consequence" of failed multiculturalism. The city mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, local MPs and other dignitaries, have hit back at the comment, accusing her of "ignorance and malice".

With the spotlight still on Braverman's speech yesterday, the PM was asked whether he agreed in a series of interviews. Disagreeing with his fellow cabinet minister, Sunak said Leicester was a "great example of what our country is about".

Home Secretary Suella Braverman delivers a keynote address on global migration challenges at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington DC (Image: PA)

He said in an interview with ITV's political correspondent, Alison Mackenzie: "I love Leicester, my mum's from Leicester. She's from Oadby ^[2], I've spent many happy times there.

"My family are still there - best Indian mithai (sweets) in the country that I still get brought to Downing Street when I can. And look, it's a great example of what our country is about."

Sunak shared similar sentiments in an interview with the BBC on Thursday. The PM has previously spoken of his fondness for Leicester, mentioning Indian sweet treats on various occasions and saying he used to visit Fosse Park with his mum. He said it was "nice to be back" in Leicester during a visit earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Braverman's comment has not been taken lightly by the people of Leicester, including Labour MPs, Liz Kendall, John Ashworth ^[3], and Independent MP Claudia Webbe. Webbe accused the Home Secretary of "scaremongering" and called her speech "discriminatory".

She said: "We are the most diverse city in the country according to data this year and our diversity is a strength, both in Leicester East and in our city as a whole, making Leicester not just a sanctuary for those who need one but also a vibrant place to live and work. But it appears that diversity makes us a target for politicians who want to fan the flames of division without thought for the consequences for ordinary people."

She added that the Home Secretary chose to "smear our communities and point the finger at the people of Leicester" in her speech, rather than address, government cuts that she said had "starved our city" and "strained its fabric".

References

^{^} Home Secretary accused of 'ignorance or malice' over citing Leicester as an example of 'failed' multiculturalism (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^{^} Oadby (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^{^} Labour MPs, Liz Kendall, John Ashworth (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)