Sajid Javid takes swipe at Donald Trump over 'go home' remarks in call for leaders to tone down language
2 min read
Sajid Javid is to hit out at Donald Trump as he pleads with political leaders to "moderate their language" to help tackle extremism.
In a major speech on Friday, the Home Secretary will say he knows "what it's like to be told to go back to where I came from".
That is a reference to the ongoing row in the United States over tweets by the President in which he said four ethnic minority congresswomen should go back to their own countries rather than criticise America.
Mr Javid will say that is a further example that "public discourse is hardening" and providing the perfect breeding ground for those who peddle hate.
And he will say it is up to the public to call out those who use racist tropes as a way of stoking up hatred.
"If we are to stop extremism in its tracks we must have the courage to confront it, the strength to take decisive action and the foresight to tackle the root causes," he will say.
"Public discourse is hardening and becoming less constructive. Everyone has a part to play: broadcasters who must not give a platform to extremists, police who must swoop on the worst offenders, public figures who must moderate their language."
Mr Javid will add: "I’m from an immigrant family, I know what it’s like to be told to go back to where I came from. We must confront the myths about immigration that extremists use to drive divisions.
"We know the scale is exaggerated to stoke up fear and that they use immigration as a proxy for race.
"Anyone can challenge the myths peddled by extremists that deepen divisions. So tell your friends, shout it loud and proud: people from minority backgrounds did not steal our jobs, they’re not terrorists, that there is no global ‘Zionist conspiracy’."
A spokesman for Theresa May said President Trump's tweets were "completely unacceptable", while he has also been criticised by Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt.
However, the two Tory leadership contenders both stopped short of calling the President "racist".
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