BLACKBURN: Cllr Altaf 'Tiger' Patel, who was the only Muslim Conservative councillor in the area, said he has become ‘appalled’ at the words used by the government officials, and said he could no longer back the Conservative Party.

Blackburn Conservative Association said Cllr Patel chose to resign after being notified he was being suspended by the party because his "views were not compatible" with the party. Tiger Patel made the shock announcement to loud cheers in front of a huge pro-Palestine peace rally in Blackburn on the steps of the Town Hall.

Speaking on the day he read out his resignation letter: “With a heavy heart and deep sense of moral duty, I write to tender my resignation from the Conservative Party, an organisation I have been a member of, for a significant part of my life.”

He added: “My deepest and most pressing concern pertains to the party’s unflinching endorsement of unconditional support of Israel, a stance which demonstrates a complete lack of nuance and sensitivity to the protracted suffering of the Palestinian people.

It is pertinent to mention here that the entire Muslim population of BlackBurn have praised the decision of Tiger Patel taken in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 21 2023

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