Reform spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe has described David Lammy as ‘stupid’ and said the country needs a foreign secretary who is diplomatic.

She also called for integration to be taught in schools to tackle cultural issues as 20 men were jailed for raping girls as young as 12.

Speaking on GB News Ann Widdecombe said: “We do know, of course, that you get this phenomenon amongst the white population as well so I wouldn’t want to say that the black population or Pakistani population was uniquely guilty of this sort of crime.

“But yes, I think there is a cultural issue. I would love to know the background of those people; if they grew up in this country, what sort of culture they grew up in.

“But I think the whole question of respect for women probably is, or probably does have cultural overtones.

“But as I say, there’s nothing about sexual assault on young girls, there’s nothing unique the immigrant population on that, there really isn’t.

“I think the answer to [Pakistani grooming gangs] is, as I have said for so long, the end of multiculturalism. We need integration as the main aim.

“People who come to this country or whose parents came to this country must adopt the British culture. I’m not saying they have to adopt the Christian religion or anything like that, but they must adopt the British culture, and that needs to be taught in schools.

“Now, you know, schools are all very keen to spend hours and hours teaching children about diversity and equality and inclusion. I think it’s about time they started teaching integration.”

Discussing Nigel Farage’s offer to be a bridge between the government and Donald Trump, she said: “I think Starmer could use him very usefully behind the scenes. I don’t think he should have a formal role like ambassador. He’s got his role, he’s the leader of Reform, he’s an MP for Clacton. That is what I think his main role should be.

“But because he does have an excellent relationship with Donald Trump, Starmer would be a fool not to tap into that. But I don’t think you’ll find our Keir is going to be terribly keen.

“I think first of all, Lammy is stupid anyway, quite apart from the things he said about Trump.

“Certainly having a foreign secretary in place who is capable of coming up with those sorts of judgments is very, very dangerous. I mean, you need diplomacy, you don’t need abuse.

“So I don’t think he’s a good appointment anyway, but come on, you can’t guarantee that anybody’s still going to be there for four years. I mean, no Prime Minister can guarantee that; you don’t know what’s going to happen.

“He’s a lawyer, you would think he was a bit sharper than that.”

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