Restore Britain spokesperson sparks controversy over comments on Muslim identity

Charlie Downes, a spokesperson and co-founder of the right-wing party Restore Britain, has drawn widespread condemnation following remarks suggesting that Muslims are "less British" than Christians.

In an interview with TalkTV, Downes argued that British identity is tied to ancestry and Christian faith. He stated, "You're certainly less British if you're not a believer in Christian principles. If somebody was Islamic then they are certainly less British."

The comments sparked backlash from political and religious figures. Baroness Gohir, a member of the House of Lords, criticized the stance, noting that defining Britishness through ancestry or religion excludes the 37% of the population that identifies as having no religion. Fiyaz Mughal of the organization Muslims Against Anti-Semitism described the remarks as "deplorable," stating they suggest Muslims and Jews are treated as "second-class" citizens.

The controversy follows other contentious statements from Restore Britain members, including calls for "mass repatriation" of non-white individuals and comments regarding the ethnicity of the Royal Family.