Shaun Bailey resignation exposes lack of senior black Tories

SHAUN BAILEY’S resignation as chair of a police and crime committee after breaching Covid-19 regulations at a Christmas party has promoted accusations that he was unfairly singled out.

The Ex-London mayor candidate – who has a history of controversial comments – handed in his resignation from the London Assembly after being approached by The Mirror about the claims.

Social commentator, Chante Joseph, wrote on Twitter: “SHAUN BAILEY was partying as well??? Whew, Black people cannot play those games they’re definitely throwing him under the bus again he might even be the first arrest!!”

Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu also weighed in on the controversy, tweeting: “Shaun Bailey only Black person in this pic thrown under bus & resigns as Chair – Qwhite Dumped.

“Boris Johnson refuses resignation of his Communications director who was at No 10 party – Qwhite Privileged.”

Columnist for The Voice, Kelechi Okafor, said: “Shaun is the only Black face in that Xmas photo and I am screaming. Played yourself.”

Some welcomed his resignation as the most senior person photographed amongst the group of 24 Tory aides, but some believe that he will still face a harsher fallout because of his race.

Mr Bailey’s resignation comes just months after another prominent black figure, Samuel Kasumu, quit his role as race adviser to No 10 in April this year.

On Tuesday night, the newspaper revealed a photograph of Mr Bailey and his team who organised the party at the Conservative Campaign Headquarters on 14 December 2020.

Many took to social media to condemn his actions as London was placed under strict Tier 2 guidelines which banned household mixing at the time.

Calls for other senior MPs to quit their roles have heightened after it emerged that the Prime Minister Boris Johnson is alleged to have lied about throwing a Christmas party at No10.

It follows the resignation of former Press Secretary, Alegra Stratton, who was caught on video seemingly laughing at suggestions of an illegal Christmas Party taking place at government headquarters during a mock press conference last year.

In response to the shocking image, the assembly’s Conservative group said in a statement: “He [Shaun Bailey] does not want an unauthorised social gathering involving some former members of the London mayoral campaign team last December to distract from the committee’s important work holding the mayor of London to account.”

Mr Bailey’s fall from grace has now brought into question his political future as a Conservative MP and the dwindling representation of black people in the party.

Just days after attending the Christmas Party, on December 20 last year, Mr Bailey tweeted: “Tier 4 is tough on every Londoner.

“My family has had to cancel plans and I’m sure yours has too.

“It’s also tough on the businesses that have had to close yet again. I’ll be doing what I can to secure more support for London’s businesses and help them through this difficult time.”

The Met have been thrown under more scrutiny as Commissioner Cressida Dick said they would not be investigating any of the alleged Christmas party and that no complaints had been made.

The Voice has contact the Conservative Party for comment.