Akhmed Yakoob, aspiring MP in Birmingham, stated he was ‘mortified’ upon hearing the podcast recording. IMAGE FILE: Akhmed Yakoob
In Summary:
- Independent candidate Akhmed Yakoob apologises for controversial comments made on a podcast.
- Yakoob pledges to be an ally in fighting misogyny, focusing his campaign on support for Palestine.
Akhmed Yakoob, an independent candidate in Birmingham Ladywood, has issued an apology following widespread condemnation of his misogynistic remarks made during a podcast earlier this year.
Yakoob, who previously came third in the West Midlands mayoral election, made controversial comments during the Minted Minds podcast, which was initially intended to discuss Palestine.
In the podcast, Yakoob made statements such as “70% of hell is going to be women” and seemed to condone domestic violence when responding to a guest who suggested he would give his wife a “backhander” for dancing on TikTok.
Yakoob’s comments were met with backlash from the Muslim Women’s Network UK (MWN), which described them as “deeply disturbing” and questioned his judgment and values.
Reflecting on his remarks, Yakoob expressed regret, stating: “I am mortified to listen back to this recording. While banter in an informal setting can often be crude, I should have refused to take part, since the tone of that discussion represents everything I stand against.”
Despite the controversy, Yakoob reiterated his commitment to his campaign, which is heavily focused on supporting Palestine, urging voters not to be distracted by the backlash.
He pledged to fight misogyny and be an ally to women, saying, “My promise to the women of Ladywood is that, in fighting misogyny, they will always have an ally in me.”
Yakoob’s comments were particularly concerning given his previous support for controversial influencer Andrew Tate, who is facing charges of human trafficking and rape in Romania.
The MWN urged voters, especially women, to scrutinise candidates’ positions on violence against women and girls (VAWG) and equality.
As the general election approaches, the MWN emphasized the importance of women’s voices, particularly in constituencies with significant Muslim populations, in shaping the outcomes and ensuring the safety and equality of women.
In closing, Yakoob stressed that he has learned from this experience and remains dedicated to his campaign’s core issues, despite the controversy surrounding his previous comments.