Peterborough has been rocked by controversy following a now-deleted tweet by Baron Stewart Jackson, the former Member of Parliament for the city and current member of the House of Lords.
Jackson’s social media post described a recent anti-far-right demonstration in London as featuring a “full complement of Islamist Fascist supporting thugs and other wrong uns,” a statement that has provoked widespread condemnation for its inflammatory and baseless nature.
The tweet was accompanied by an image of a spoof newspaper front page bearing the headline: “Far-Right March Against Themselves in London Yesterday,” a satirical spin on the real demonstration which sought to oppose far-right extremism.
While the demonstration itself was widely covered by credible news outlets, the distorted headline, designed to provoke and amuse on social media, has contributed to the public backlash.
Peterborough Council Leader issues formal letter
In response, Councillor Dr Shabina Qayyum, Leader of Peterborough City Council, has written directly to Baron Jackson, demanding a full and public apology. Her letter, dated 30 March 2026, condemns Jackson’s comments as “factually baseless, dangerously divisive, and entirely unbecoming of a member of the House of Lords.”
Dr Qayyum emphasised the duty of care owed to all residents, highlighting that Peterborough is home to approximately 23,000 Muslims who contribute to the city’s diversity and civic life. She stated that public figures must lead by example and warned that Jackson’s remarks could undermine community cohesion and fuel prejudice.
“Public figures have a fundamental responsibility to lead by example and certainly not to use their platforms to vilify and marginalise minority groups,” Dr Qayyum wrote in her letter. She also confirmed she would be submitting a formal complaint to the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards regarding Jackson’s conduct.
The controversial tweet: context and deletion
The tweet in question was widely shared before its deletion. Jackson, known for his strong political opinions and provocative social media presence under the handle @BrexitStewart, appeared to comment on the demonstration in a manner that many interpreted as targeting Muslims and left-wing activists attending the march.
Investigations into the post reveal that the accompanying image was not an authentic newspaper headline. Rather, it was a satirical or digitally altered mock-up, typical of social media memes designed to ridicule or provoke. Real news coverage, including reports from outlets like The Guardian and Reuters, simply reported that thousands marched in London on 28 March 2026 against the far-right.
The satirical headline, “Far-Right March Against Themselves in London Yesterday,” gained traction online for its punchy, ironic tone but had no basis in credible journalism. Jackson’s use of this content to frame his commentary intensified the controversy, leading to calls for accountability from political and community leaders alike.
Community reaction in Peterborough
As Peterborough approaches crucial local elections in May 2026, the fear is that divisive rhetoric from prominent figures could inflame tensions and polarise voters.
Full letter from Dr Shabina Qayyum
Date: 30th March 2026
To: Baron Stewart Jackson, House of Lords
From: Councillor Dr Shabina Qayyum, Leader, Peterborough City Council
Lord Jackson,
I am writing to you in my capacity as the Leader of the City Council to formally and categorically condemn the deeply offensive and inflammatory comments you recently published on social media.
Your post, in which you described a demonstration as containing a “Full complement of Islamist Fascist supporting thugs and other wrong uns,” is not only factually baseless but also dangerously divisive. Such rhetoric is entirely unbecoming of a member of the House of Lords and serves only to stoke tension, prejudice, and fear within our communities.
As the leader of this city, I have a profound duty of care towards all our residents, including the 23,000 Muslims who call this city home. They are an integral, peaceful, and highly valued part of our community. Our city prides itself on being a welcoming and inclusive place for people of all faiths and none.
Public figures have a fundamental responsibility to lead by example and certainly not to use their platforms to vilify and marginalise minority groups. I demand a full, public, and unequivocal apology for your remarks, directed specifically to the Muslim communities you have insulted.
I will also be submitting a formal complaint to the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards regarding your conduct. I expect your immediate public retraction of these harmful statements.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Councillor Shabina Qayyum
East Ward Councillor
Leader of Peterborough City Council
Conclusion
The episode serves as a reminder that public figures must balance freedom of expression with the responsibility to uphold trust and respect within diverse communities.
