East Surrey Tory chairman resigns over racist Rishi Sunak WhatsApp message
The Chairman of the East Surrey Conservative Association has resigned after he shared a racist meme about Rishi Sunak. Leaked images from a Conservative Whatsapp group for the Surrey area show Andrew Baird sharing the offensive image with Tory colleagues.
The message, seen by SurreyLive, depicts the Number 10 Downing Street cat, Larry, walking away from the residence with a speech bubble saying “I’m off”, which was followed by a racist remark. Mr Sunak is the first British-Asian Prime Minister having been born to parents of Indian descent.
While it was not known when these comments were made, several others in the chat reacted negatively to Mr Baird’s sharing of the meme with one saying it should be deleted. Another asked for the chairman to explain the picture while another called the image “offensive”.
A member of the East Surrey Conservative Association confirmed to SurreyLive that Mr Baird had resigned from his position on Friday (October 28). His profile on the organisation’s website states his webpage is “not found” and he is no longer listed as someone who helps with the Tory group.
A spokesperson for the group said: “We understand a meme was posted to a private WhatsApp group, not an official Conservative Party WhatsApp Group. Following the meme being posted, a complaint was made to the Surrey Area Conservative Party Management Team.
“We take all such complaints very seriously hence this was immediately referred to Conservative Party HQ. As this complaint was made very recently we understand the matter is currently under review.
“East Surrey Conservative Association confirms that the President of the Association has accepted the resignation of the Chairman Andrew Baird, effective from October 28, 2022. A new chairman will be elected in due course in accordance with the rules detailed in the Constitution of the Conservative Party.”
Despite the controversy, Mr Baird (pictured in the above tweet, third from the right) is still displayed as the chair of the board at East Surrey College. He has been a governor at the Redhill-based further education college since 2008 and became chair in 2016.
In a short statement to SurreyLive, Sue Glover, director of governance at East Surrey College, said: “We have looked into this matter and understand that something was posted on a private WhatsApp group that is not related to the College.” She did not say if he still held his position at the college.
Earlier this year, in June, Mr Baird was awarded an MBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to further education. During his tenure at East Surrey College he oversaw a merger with John Ruskin Sixth Form College in Croydon and is also a governor of Oakwood School in Horley.
Mr Baird did not wish to comment.
