Facts

Following the racial abuse directed towards black England players after the Euros’ final, Priti Patel tweeted:

“I am disgusted the @England players who have given so much for our country this summer have been subject to vile racist abuse on social media. It has no place in our country and I back the police to hold those responsible accountable.”

Just a month earlier, Priti Patel refused to condemn people who booed the England team for taking the knee, labelling the act, “gesture politics.”

The Evening Standard reported that “Asked whether England fans were right to boo the national team, she said: “That’s a choice for them, quite frankly.”

She said: “I just don’t support people participating in that type of gesture, gesture politics, to a certain extent, as well.”

Verdict

When England players themselves stood up against racism by taking the knee, Priti Patel described the act as “gesture politics”. Asked whether England fans were right to boo the national team, she said: “That’s a choice for them, quite frankly.”  This calls into question the sincerity of her condemnation of racist abuse of England footballers. 

We approached Ms Patel’s office and the Home Office for comment, but no reply.