'Racist' caller stuns radio host as Britain scrambles for new PM

A shocking British radio segment has highlighted the extent of its political and racial divide as Britain scrambles to find another new leader.

Former Prime Minister Liz Truss spent just 45 days in office before stepping down last week sparking a scramble to find a successor who can unify the fractured Conservative party.

Ms Truss defeated former chancellor and secretary to treasury Rishi Sunak earlier this year, but he is once again a likely contender for the country's top job.

He was set to go up against former PM Boris Johnson for the position but the latter withdrew from the contest on Sunday, saying he realised the country and the Conservative Party needed unity.

'Racist' caller slammed over Rishi Sunak remarks

But in a British talkback radio segment Leading Britain's Conversation, host Sangita Myska received a call from a man named Jerry who believes Mr Sunak isn't right for the job.

He said Mr Sunak "isn't even British," despite being born in England, and that Mr Johnson would have been better suited.

Challenging the caller, Ms Myska argued that Mr Sunak "is a British citizen" but Jerry refused to back down.

"Lots of people are [British], half of Al Qaeda are British citizens," he retorts, leaving Ms Myska stunned.

"Have you just likened Rishi Sunak, the former chancellor and possibly the next Prime Minister, to a member of Al Qaeda?" she asks.

"Is the real problem here, Jerry, that Rishi Sunak is a brown man and you don’t trust him at the top of this country?"

Not bothered by her suggestion, the caller continued in his tirade.

"Eighty-five per cent of English people, yes, are white, English people and yes, they want to see a Prime Minister that reflects them," he said.

His remarks led Ms Myska to believe the caller is "fundamentally a racist."

"I think it’s absolutely fascinating to me that you and other Tory party members think like this," she replies, before finishing the conversation.

'Shameful' racial divide among party

The conversation took to Twitter where others took aim at the Tory party, of which Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak are both members. Many claimed Tory voters and MPs share the same way of thinking.

"Unfortunately that is the thought process of the majority of the Tory voting public," one said.

"Always peddling racial divisions. Shameful," said another.

• Today host Karl Stefanovic savages Britain over 'embarrassing' situation

• BBC's humiliating Anthony Albanese mistake at Queen's funeral

• Scott Morrison reveals his 'deep regret' in first interview since election loss

One pointed out that while Mr Sunak was born in Southern England, Mr Johnson was actually born in New York before moving to the UK.

Others attributed the UK's current political and economic turmoil to this way of thinking

"That is why Britain is in this mess that they are in now," one said.

Johnson pulls out, paving way for Sunak

Following Ms Truss's resignation last week, Mr Johnson raced home from a holiday in the Caribbean to secure the backing of 100 lawmakers to enter Monday's contest to replace her.

He said he had secured the backing of 102 lawmakers and could have been "back in Downing Street", but that he'd failed to persuade either Mr Sunak, or the other contender Penny Mordaunt, to come together "in the national interest".

"I believe I have much to offer but I am afraid that this is simply not the right time," Mr Johnson said late on Sunday.

The former prime minister had secured the public backing of just under 60 Conservative lawmakers by Sunday, well under half of the nearly 150 endorsements Mr Sunak had received.

Mr Johnson's statement likely paves the way for his arch rival, the 42-year-old former finance minister Mr Sunak, to become prime minister, possibly as soon as Monday.

If confirmed, he would replace Ms Truss who was forced to resign after she launched an economic program that triggered turmoil on financial markets.

The scandal followed a series of others that left the party divided.

While he led the Conservative Party to a landslide election in 2019, Mr Johnson was forced out just three years later by a rebellion of his ministers.

Many of the Conservative lawmakers who normally back Mr Johnson switched their support to Mr Sunak, saying the country needed a period of stability after months of turmoil that has sparked headlines – and raised alarm – around the world.

One Sunak supporter, who asked not to be named, said he was relieved that Mr Johnson pulled out because if he'd won the "party would have torn itself apart".

with AAP

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.