Luton has ‘no-go zones’ for white people, claims MP

Image source, Andrew Sinclair/BBCImage caption, Blake Stephenson was speaking at a Conservative Party conference fringe event

A Conservative MP has defended claims he made during a debate that there are "no-go zones" in Luton where "white people won't go".

Blake Stephenson, who represents Mid Bedfordshire, was speaking during a fringe event about migration at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.

He told the BBC that his comments were in response to a Luton resident who raised the issue, adding: "It reflects a reality that many people now feel that parts of the town are unwelcoming and unsafe."

One of Luton's Labour MPs has described the comments as "deeply irresponsible" – and the town's police and crime commissioner said he was "very angry".

The debate, entitled "From Boriswave to Brain Drain: How Can We Fix Migration?" was organised by the think tank, The Centre for Policy Studies.

Stephenson, a shadow Home Office minister, told the meeting he knew Luton well as he lived in a nearby village.

He said: "There are parts of that town – and unfortunately the police will tell you this – it can be a very dangerous place.

"There are parts where white people won't go, they are like no-go zones."

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, One of Luton's Labour MPs has described the comments as "deeply irresponsible"

He added that there were other towns in a similar situation and "we need to make sure we don't have ghettoes where there are no-go zones for anybody – the country is for all of us, not just certain communities."

He claimed that mass migration "has been an absolute disaster".

The Liberal Democrat Leader of Luton Borough Council, Amjid Ali, said: "The comments made about Luton by Blake Stephenson are simply unacceptable.

"There are no 'no-go zones' in Luton where white people cannot or will not go. That is not the Luton I know, and it is not supported by the facts."

Image source, Amjid AliImage caption, Luton Borough Council leader Amjid Ali said Stephenson was not describing "the Luton I know"

The police and crime commissioner for Bedfordshire, Labour's John Tizard, has written to Stephenson to say he is "very disappointed and angry to read the comments".

"These statements are not supported by evidence and bear a troubling resemblance to far-right agitators seeking to divide communities," he said.

He urged Stephenson to withdraw "these divisive, scaremongering and false allegations."

Image source, Laura Foster/BBCImage caption, Police and crime commissioner John Tizard has written an angry letter to Stephenson

In a statement, Stephenson said: "Luton used to be a thriving market town, and it can be again, but I believe it's important that we are honest about the challenges it faces.

"We shouldn't sugarcoat that. And any place where less than two thirds of people were born in this country will clearly have challenges with integration.

"That's not a criticism of any community – that is on all of us to do more to ensure deeper levels of integration to bring our towns and our country together.

"That's why as a Bedfordshire MP I've been supporting projects that will bring new investment into Luton; and why I've been fighting for lower and more sustainable levels of immigration, so that we can ensure that communities can better integrate."

Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

Contact formContact formFollow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external.

'I'm from Northern Ireland – Luton isn't unsafe'

Safety myths hurt town's nightlife, says council

CCTV captures moment police officer knocked unconscious by headbutt

Related internet linksLuton Borough Council