Tory MP Bob Stewart to surrender whip while he appeals racial abuse conviction

Tory MP Bob Stewart has surrendered the Conservative whip while he considers an appeal against his conviction for a racially-aggravated public order offence.

The Beckenham MP has informed Chief Whip Simon Hart, a government source told the PA news agency.

Stewart was found guilty of racially abusing an activist by telling him to "go back to Bahrain".

He showed "racial hostility" towards a protester during a demonstration outside a Foreign Office building, a court heard.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats had called for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to act against the "totally unacceptable" behaviour of the 74-year-old Conservative backbencher.

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