Union wants action over Muslim prayer comments

Union officials have called for Reform UK to take action after a senior councillor said he was worried about "seeing children in primary schools being taught to pray the Muslim way".

Carl Abbott made the remarks during an internal Prevent counter-terrorism briefing held by Leicestershire County Council, attended by politicians and police.

Abbott said he feared it could lead to the radicalisation of children.

The authority's Unison branch said Abbott's comments were "offensive" and urged the cabinet member for adult social care to apologise.

It has also urged council leader Dan Harrison to take action over his colleague's comments.

Abbott and Harrison have been contacted for comment.

Abbott's comments came to light after a recording of the internal meeting, held on 5 January, was leaked to the media.

County council Unison branch secretary Dionne Royston said: "In a county as diverse as Leicestershire, these remarks are offensive and out of date.

"Muslim residents and council staff deserve to know they are respected by those in charge of vital services."

East Midlands Unison regional organiser Liz Lowe said: "These comments are utterly incompatible with holding responsibility for adult social care and safeguarding.

"The council leader must say whether these remarks were acceptable and what action will be taken."

Labour, Tory and Green county councillors have previously condemned Abbott's comments.

However, a Reform UK spokesperson previously told the BBC: "Councillor Abbott is absolutely correct. Britain is and remains a Christian country.

"He speaks on behalf of millions who are rightly alarmed by the rapid, unchecked transformation of our culture and values driven by successive Tory and Labour governments' obsessions with mass immigration."

A council spokesperson said the authority would not comment on the issue but confirmed an investigation had been launched to find the source of the leak.

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