Starmer Refuses To Back Justin Welby In The Wake Of Justin Welbys Comments

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Starmer refuses to back Justin Welby after clamour for archbishop to resign
Starmer refuses to back Justin Welby after clamour for archbishop to resign from

Starmer refuses to back Justin Welby in the wake of Justin Welby's comments

Archbishop's comments create divide within Labour Party

Conservative and Labour MPs call for Justin Welby to resign

Sir Keir Starmer has declined to back the Archbishop of Canterbury following his divisive comments about Rwanda. Welby suggested that sending asylum seekers to Rwanda "may not be compatible with Christian values". Conservative MP, David Davies, has called on Welby to resign and the Bishop of Carlisle, James Newcome, has also been critical of Welby's comments.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has defended his comments and said he does not regret criticising the government's Rwanda asylum policy. He said "the Church has a duty to speak out when it sees injustice or suffering." Welby also said he was "not trying to be political" but was "simply speaking out as a Christian".

The row over Welby's comments has divided the Labour Party. Some Labour MPs have backed Welby's right to speak out, while others have criticised his intervention in a political matter. Labour MP, Chris Bryant, said Welby's comments were "offensive" and "unhelpful". He said "the Archbishop should stick to his knitting".

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has said he "respects" Welby's right to speak out, but he does not agree with his comments. Johnson said "the Rwanda policy is lawful and necessary to deter illegal immigration".

The row over Welby's comments is likely to continue in the coming days. It is a sign of the growing divisions within the Labour Party on issues of immigration and asylum.