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- After being corrected, Gray allegedly told the audience, “They all look the same to me.” Speaking to Daily Mail, a witness said Zahawi pulled Gray to the side to have a private conversation following the controversial comment.
- A source also allegedly said that Gray acknowledged the comment, saying it was inappropriate in a “low-key, jokey way.” The source added that the guests at the event were upset: “A lot of people at the event – who were all working hard to roll the vaccine out – have been talking about what had happened.”
- “St John does not tolerate racism in any way, shape or form,” the charity said. “We spoke with James Gray following the event about our values as an open, inclusive and progressive charity.”
- After the incident, a spokeswoman from the Conservative Party said, “These comments were misjudged. We do not tolerate racism or discrimination of any kind.”
- In a statement to Daily Mail, Gray said he did not make the controversial comment at the event, but he admitted he mixed up Zahawi and Javid during the introduction. Gray also claimed the two men are long-term friends of his.
- “The idea that this is racist is completely untrue,” Gray added. “Nadhim did not speak to me about it afterward, he spoke to a lot of people.”
- Days after the comment, Gray reportedly posted a picture of him and Zahawi together, along with SJA chief exec Martin Houghton-Brown. It was not made clear if this was taken before or after the Parliament event.