Jacob Rees-Mogg ‘apologises profusely’ for using anti-Asian racist phrase ‘yellow peril’ in the Commons in attack on the Liberal Democrats
- Commons leader referred to the ‘yellow peril’ as he attacked the Lib Dems
- Phrase is seen as a derogatory reference people from east Asia, especially China
- Labour MP Sarah Owen, whose mother is Chinese, said: ‘It’s 2021 not 1821’
- Rees-Mogg said: ‘If I have used a term that is offensive I apologise profoundly’
Tory Jacob Rees-Mogg was forced to ‘apologise profusely’ after using a racism term in the House of Commons today.
The Leader of the House was criticised after he referred to the ‘yellow peril’ as he attacked the Liberal Democrats – whose party colours are yellow – during a debate this afternoon.
The phrase, which originated in the late 19th century, is seen as a derogatory reference to the skin colour of people from east Asia and their perceived threat to the West.
Labour MP Sarah Owen, whose mother is Chinese, blasted his conduct, saying ‘it’s 2021 not 1821’.
‘There is simply no excuse for it and it was made worse by the fact the only two MPs of ESEA (East and South East Asian) descent were sat on the front-benches as the words ”yellow peril” left his mouth,’ she added.
After Labour flagged his language in the Commons, Mr Rees-Mogg said: ‘If I have used a term that is offensive I apologise profoundly.
‘I had absolutely no intention of using a term that was offensive. I don’t actually know what term I used that was offensive, so if out of ignorance I have, I apologise.’
The Leader of the House was criticised after referred to the ‘yellow peril’ as he attacked the Liberal Democrats – whose colours are yellow – during a debate this afternoon.
Labour MP Sarah Owen, whose mother is Chinese, blasted his conduct, saying: There is simply no excuse for it and it was made worse by the fact the only two MPs of ESEA (East and South East Asian) descent were sat on the front-benches as the words ”yellow peril” left his mouth.’
Mr Rees-Mogg made the remark to Conservative Damien Moore, after he said people in his Southport constituency felt ‘under attack from the vindictive policies of Labour-controlled Sefton Council’ for trying to ‘impose a cycle network’.
In reply, Mr Rees-Mogg said: ‘I hear gossip that (Mr Moore) is actually working in collaboration, and whisper it quietly, with the Liberal Democrats in his area against these schemes, which I think shows how completely lunatic they must be to have created an alliance between him and the Yellow Peril.’
Shadow Commons leader Thangam Debbonaire called on him to apologise.
Raising a point of order, the Labour MP said: ‘Unfortunately, and I hope that the Leader is doing this unintentionally, the Leader made use of an extremely offensive racist term, I find it really difficult to understand but I am sure it may be possible that he was not aware that it was, in relation to the Liberal Democrats.
‘It would be really helpful if the Leader could reconsider his words.
‘He has spoken powerfully and correctly over the last few months about the scourge of racism and his commitment to ending it.’
She added: ‘This use of casual racist phrases, however unintentional, does have an impact.
‘It has a corrosive impact on the fight against racism which I know he shares as an aim.’
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