The former Tory deputy chair, Lee Anderson, has refused to apologise for comments that saw him suspended from the party.

He said he believed “Islamists” had “got control” of London’s mayor Sadiq Khan – a remark Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called “unacceptable”.

But Mr Anderson isn’t the only politician stoking racial divides, with Azhar Ali standing in this week’s Rochdale by-election despite making antisemitic remarks that cost him Labour’s backing.

The tensions have left many MPs fearing for their personal safety as security has had to be ramped up for several of them.

On this edition of the Sky News Daily, Jonathan Samuels speaks to deputy political editor Sam Coates about the toxicity in politics.

Plus, Anna Firth, the Conservative MP for Southend West – where the late MP Sir David Amess was killed by an Islamic State sympathiser – describes what it’s like to be a member of parliament in the current political climate.

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

Two years on since Russia’s invasion but Ukraine is still in the fight

Commotion and a no-confidence motion: What damage has the Commons Gaza vote row done?

The Post Office scandal – more trouble on the Horizon?

Producer: Alex Edden

Assistant producer: Iona Brunker

Editor: Wendy Parker

Related posts:

Cameron ‘did absolutely nothing wrong’ over links with financial services firm – minister ‘We don’t know how to take risks’ – Brexit negotiator Barnier admits EU vaccine ‘mistakes’ Free London Underground travel on New Year’s Eve scrapped Nearly half of party members think Sunak would make better Tory leader than Johnson – poll PM warned he risks losing ‘red wall’ seats which won him last election Met Police to issue at least 30 more fines over lockdown-breaking parties at Whitehall and Downing Street Freezing energy bills won’t help worst off households, says minister Fiscal watchdog to give forecast on mini-budget after meeting with PM and chancellor Hunt faces calls to cut taxes after AstraZeneca snubs UK for £320m factory in Ireland Bank of England puts interest rate up to 4.5% in record 12th rise in a row Nicking lines from Boris Johnson hardly signals a Rishi reset – can the PM turn things around? | Sophy Ridge ‘Not useful’ to put a date on Welsh independence, Plaid Cymru leader says