Number 10’s race adviser tries to quit over ‘unbearable tension’ within government as he slams Tory politics ‘steeped in division’ – before withdrawing his resignation after talks with vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi
- Number 10’s adviser on ethnic minorities Samuel Kasumu retracted resignation
- Mr Kasumu reportedly said tensions in Government were at times ‘unbearable’
- But retracted letter Thursday after talks with vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi
Samuel Kasumu reportedly retracted his resignation letter
Number 10’s adviser on ethnic minorities tried to quit his job over fears the Conservative Party was pursuing a ‘politics steeped in division’ – before retracting his resignation.
Samuel Kasumu reportedly withdrew his resignation letter to Boris Johnson – in which he said tensions in Government were at times ‘unbearable’ – after talks with vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi.
In a letter seen by the BBC, he wrote: ‘I fear for what may become of the party in the future by choosing to pursue a politics steeped in division.’
He said ‘the damage that is often caused by our actions is not much considered’, adding: ‘As someone that has spent his whole adult life serving others, that tension has been at times unbearable.’
The BBC said he also described the actions of equalities minister Kemi Badenoch, who launched an online tirade against a journalist last week, as ‘concerning’.
The BBC said he also described the actions of equalities minister Kemi Badenoch (pictured), who launched an online tirade against a journalist last week, as ‘concerning’
Ms Badenoch accused HuffPost reporter Nadine White of ‘creepy and bizarre’ behaviour and published correspondence between the reporter and officials on Twitter.
Mr Kasumu is said to have suggested Ms Badenoch may have broken the ministerial code – which the BBC said the Cabinet Office was looking into.
In his resignation letter, Mr Kasumu wrote that ‘more concerning than the act, was the lack of response internally’.
‘It was not OK or justifiable, but somehow nothing was said. I waited, and waited, for something from the senior leadership team to even point to an expected standard, but it did not materialise.’
Mr Kasumu on Thursday retracted the letter after talks with vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi (pictured)
A Downing Street spokesman said: ‘It would not be appropriate to comment on individual staff members.’ Pictured: Boris Johnson
A Downing Street spokesman said: ‘It would not be appropriate to comment on individual staff members.
‘This Government is committed to inclusion and bringing communities together, and is the most ethnically diverse in this country’s history.
‘Last year we established a commission on race and ethnic disparities to examine and tackle inequality and discrimination wherever it is found. It is due to report shortly.
Mr Kasumu was a contributor for the HuffPost and is still described on its website as a ‘young political commentator’.
He has also written for the Guardian, New Statesman and was a columnist for Nigerian Watch.
In 2012 he wrote his first book called Winning the Race, which criticised what he saw as a lack of action by the Tories in appealing to ethnic minorities.
Mr Kasumu studied business and management accounting at Brunel University – where he was student President and Vice President – before moving into politics.