Johnson-Modi handshake on bypoll leaflet spurs row

London, July 15

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Opposition Leader Keir Starmer clashed in the House of Commons over a controversial byelection leaflet, which had been branded “divisive” and “anti-India” by Indian diaspora groups in Britain.

During a heated debate over the issue of racism at the Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) session on Wednesday, Johnson held up the leaflet showing him in a handshake with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 Summit in 2019 with the message “Don’t risk a Tory MP who is not on your side”.

He demanded the Labour leader retract the leaflet used at the recent byelection for the constituency of Batley and Spen, a seat held by the Opposition party.

However, the Labour leader skirted around the remark to continue his tirade against the ruling Conservative Party for not fighting back against racist abuse faced by England’s footballers on the pitch. — PTI

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