A former Member of Parliament and supporter of Nigel Farage declined to offer an apology for a controversial tweet deemed as racist, advocating for England to be free of individuals named “Abdul.” This incident occurred at a far-right wing conference in the United States, attended by ex-Clacton MP Douglas Carswell in place of Farage, who had transportation issues preventing his attendance.
Carswell, who was not slated to speak at the event, was approached by a reporter from the Mirror regarding his social media post that stated, “From Epping to the sea, let’s make England Abdul-free.” When asked to explain the tweet, Carswell refused, asserting his right to freedom of speech as an Englishman living in America. He declined to apologize or provide further clarification on the matter, emphasizing his stance on not being held accountable by the press.
Following the confrontation, Carswell blocked the reporter on social media platform X. When questioned about his presence at the conference, Carswell, now involved in a think tank in Mississippi, highlighted the significance of his attendance as a former representative of Clacton. He expressed interest in the event’s discussions and energy, noting the unique topics being addressed compared to traditional conservative conferences.
Regarding his relationship with Farage, known for its ups and downs, Carswell mentioned they maintain communication through text messages. The incident involving the controversial tweet and Carswell’s response shed light on the ongoing debates and dynamics within political circles, particularly in the context of international conferences and interactions.