UK Politician Slammed for Racist Tweet About 'Divide and Rule' Whites
A U.K. MP has apologized after posting what some have perceived to be a racist tweet about white people.
Labor's shadow Health Minister Diane Abbott, recently angered critics after accusing white people of being separatist game players, according to Mail Online.
"I apologize for any offence caused. I understand people have interpreted my comments as making generalizations about white people. I do not believe in doing that," Abbott said in a statement.
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The apology came after Abbott faced immense backlash about the tweet which read, ''White people love playing 'divide & rule.’ We should not play their game"
Some politicians even called for Abbott to resign, arguing that the 58-year-old was promoting racism.
"A healthy society should not tolerate any form of racism. DAbott should apologize and resign or EdM must sack her...DAbbott of all people should lead by example. Must resign," Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi tweeted.
Zawai also suggested that there are double standards for different races.
"This is racism...If this was a white member of Parliament saying that all black people want to do bad things to us he would have resigned with the hour or be sacked," Zawai told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Abbott, who became the first black member of U.K. parliament in 1987, has insisted that her tweet was misunderstood.
"Tweet taken out of context. Refers to nature of 19th Century European colonialism. Bit much to get into 140 characters," Abott posted on Twitter in an attempt to defend herself.
A Labor spokesman condemned Abbott's tweet, although it is unlikely that she will be dismissed because she has apologized.
Calls to Abbott's office were not immediately returned.
