Euro 2020: Criticism of Priti Patel for taking the knee makes “unusual” and “strange” remarks, according to Minister Grant Shapps | Politics News

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Home Secretary Priti Patel’s criticisms of anti-racism efforts are “unusual” and “strange,” one of her fellow ministers told Sky News.

After England’s final Euro 2020 defeat to Italy – after which some of the squad’s players suffered racist abuse on social media – Ms Patel’s comments ahead of the tournament about footballers stepping up Kneeling before matches came under scrutiny.

The Home Secretary has previously described the knee as a “gesture policy” and said England fans have a “choice” of whether or not to boo the players as they protest racism.

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Ms Patel condemned the racist abuse directed at England footballers after their loss to Italy on penalties on Sunday night.

But England defender Tyrone Mings later accused her of “stoking the fire” ahead of Euro 2020 with her comments about the players kneeling.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps became the last government minister to defend Ms Patel on Wednesday amid the row.

“I thought the comments on Priti Patel were unusual, weird because she spoke very movingly in the House of Commons about her own experiences and suffering from racism,” he told Sky News.

Prominent Conservative MP Steve Baker called on his party to change its attitude towards people who kneel in protest against racism.

Mr Shapps said his take on the matter was “very straightforward”, adding: “I just think we have to respect everyone and whatever form they want to show they are against racism , that suits me.

“It’s a shame as it hindered a phenomenal performance for the England team which really came together and made England proud.

“And that’s where I prefer to leave it. I think we should work, all of us in society, and start by accepting that no one wants to see racism.

“If you accept that everyone is taking the right approach and the right attitude in this regard, we will go much further as a country to eradicate racism.”

We are all proud of our England team, which has had support from across the country in recent weeks, but please focus on football, not politics. If you win for England, you win for everyone! https://t.co/kZVM5Y2Z1Z

– Andrew Rosindell MP (@AndrewRosindell) July 13, 2021

Another Tory MP, Andrew Rosindell, called on the Mings and other England players to “focus on football, not politics” after the end of Euro 2020.

But Mr Shapps said footballers – such as Mings – were “welcome” to comment on political issues.

“The good thing about living in a democracy is that everyone is welcome to participate – I guess kinda like everyone has become a wheelchair expert on what Gareth Southgate should do with his team during the game.” , did he declare.

“I think anyone can comment on politics – that’s the whole spirit of democracy, isn’t it? That’s the whole point.

“We are absolutely united as a government, and I hope also as a country, to eliminate racism.”

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