British Columbia’s NDP Leader, David Eby, has urged Conservative interim leader Lorne Doerkson to dismiss his party’s campaign director over controversial remarks branding Islam as an “abhorrent ideology.” Eby made the call during an event on Vancouver Island, emphasizing the need for action against Katy Merrifeld following her disparaging comments linked to a report released by the leader of the anti-immigration Restore Britain party.
The report, entitled “Rape Gang Inquiry” and authored by Rupert Lowe, drew attention due to Merrifeld’s inflammatory post on June 17, where she used offensive language in reference to Islam and urged support for “Western civilization.” Eby’s demand for Merrifeld’s removal comes on the heels of the dismissal of Conservative candidate Joachim Agou for similar remarks about Muslims, which Agou has since expressed regret for.
In response to the controversy, Merrifeld clarified on social media that she swiftly deleted her original post, stating that her frustration was directed at the extremism behind heinous crimes rather than at Muslims or their beliefs, especially given her own experiences as a woman and a survivor of assault.
Expressing profound dismay and anger after reading the report, Merrifeld emphasized, “I denounce the perpetrators of such violence who justify their actions through extreme ideologies.”
When questioned about the call for Merrifeld’s removal despite her not being a candidate, Eby emphasized that Doerkson’s response would reveal his stance on the matter, suggesting that failure to act would signal a selective approach based on electoral prospects.
