Muslim Conservative campaigner called 'f****** sick in the head' for backing Tories in abusive rant in east London

Ellena Cruse25 November 2019
WEST END FINAL

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A Muslim Conservative campaigner was subjected to a tirade of abuse when he was out doorstepping in east London.

Has Ahmed was walking past Goodmayes station with a Tory rosette pinned to his chest when a member of the public started shouting insults at him on Sunday.

Speaking to the Standard, the 23-year-old, who stood as an MP candidate for Ilford South in 2018, said despite his calm exterior he felt threatened and took out his phone to record the incident.

Mr Ahmed said the man "identified him as Muslim" and then began to shout at him, at which point he started recording.

Mr Ahmed stood as a Conservative MP candidate in 2018
Has Ahmed

"At the time I carried on walking and tried to ignore him," Mr Ahmed said.

"There were kids and people driving by, everyone was looking. Anyone would feel humiliated, it was a disgraceful thing he did."

In the video, a bearded man is seen following Mr Ahmed along the street and can be heard shouting insults at him.

Calling Mr Ahmed "f****** sick in the head", he adds: "If you vote for Conservatives you are a bloody idiot."

He later adds: "Go somewhere else, go to a white f****** country."

Mr Ahmed said he was surprised to have been subjected to such abuse and said the man, who was dressed in traditional Muslim garb, doesn't "represent Islam".

He said: "I campaign a lot and people shut their doors and tell you they're not interested or take a leaflet and throw it in a bin in front of you but there is no physical threat, it's fine. But when it is like this and in your own community it is sad.

"My religion teaches me to forgive and that is the best approach when someone is so ignorant. But I don't want people to think that this person represents Islam because he has a beard and is wearing a hat. Large amounts of Muslims are receptive and loving."

Mr Ahmed, who works as a technology analyst, said he is now taking a break from the campaign trail to "gather my thoughts" and get some "mental recovery". But once he gets some rest he hopes to return to the streets of east London.

"Police have approached me on Twitter and asked if I want to take the incident forward but I haven't decided yet," he added.

"I will go back out eventually for the Conservatives - I have ambitions to become an MP and become the foreign secretary."

The incident was condemned as "vile" after the footage was shared on Twitter.

Iain Duncan Smith backs Mr Ahmed on Twitter
Twitter
Labour politicians have condemned the abuse

The Labour leader of Redbridge Council, councillor Jas Athwal, encouraged residents who recognised the man to report him to the police.

He said: "This is disgusting, the level of vile abuse this lad had to endure is sickening.

"If anyone recognises the nasty lunatic please report to the police, this cannot and must not go unchallenged I don't care what party he supports, it's just plain wrong."

While Conservative Iain Duncan Smith said: "Disgraceful behaviour towards Has Ahmed - this has to stop.

"Political campaigning is an essential part of democratic process and all opposition candidates must condemn such intimidation."

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