Andrew Edwards, a British Member of Parliament representing the party in Pembrokeshire, has been suspended from the Conservative Party after audio leaked of him allegedly saying all white men should have a Black person as a slave.
“I think all white men should have a Black man as a slave or a Black woman as a slave, you know,” Edwards is heard saying in the recording. “It’s nothing wrong with skin color, it is just they’re a lower class than us white people, you know.”
Hours later, Edwards released a statement announcing his exit. However, he did not confirm whether he is the voice heard on the recording.
“I am aware of such serious allegations being made against me. This is why I have self-referred to the Public Services Ombudsman for an independent evaluation,” his statement reads. “It is now in the hands of legal experts and the Ombudsman. It would be unfair on the process for me to comment now.”
The Conservative Party suspended Edwards after the ombudsman’s office confirmed receipt of the self-referral.
Pembrokeshire Council said: “We are aware of an allegation being made and have referred the matter to the ombudsman. It would be inappropriate to comment further.”
The Labour group also weighed in, stating, “the views contained within this recording are disgusting.Racism has absolutely no place in our society, let alone in the views expressed by an elected member on Pembrokeshire County Council.”
