Lee Anderson Credits Constituents for Impeccable Behaviour at Sutton Protest

The Reform UK Member of Parliament for Ashfield, Lee Anderson, has taken to social media to thank his constituents who 'behaved impeccably' during the protest in Sutton in Ashfield on 25th July 2025 following an individual who has been charged with 3 counts of rape of a woman on Sutton Lawn.

People of Ashfield protested the alleged rape of a woman on Sutton Lawn by an alleged asylum seeker

The MP alleged that Nottinghamshire Police informed him that the individual who had been charged, named 27-year-old 'Sheraz Malik' of Bath Street, Sutton in Ashfield, was an asylum seeker.

A protest was organised online by members of the public following this allegation. It has been suggested that as many as 400-500 people attended the protest.

Stand Up To Racism confirmed on the day of the protest that they would be mounting a counter-protest to "oppose the far-right and Lee Anderson". It is understood that only around a dozen took part in the counter protest, although it has since been discovered that several of the counter-protesters were not locals, one of which was pictured at the Epping counter-protest around a week before wearing exactly the same clothes.

Lee Anderson MP said:

"Firstly a huge thanks to all the Ashfield constituents who conducted themselves impeccably during Friday nights protest in Sutton."

"You are not racist or bigoted. You are simply decent people who believe in protecting their own community and especially our women and girls."

"Now the reason I won't attend these protests is because of the following."

"Certain sections of the left wing media and sadly some politicians would love nothing more than violence to erupt so they can then label myself and my constituents are far right hooligans. This is an age old tactic."

"If I'd have announced I was attending then far left agitators like Antifa would have turned up wearing face coverings and they would without doubt started trouble. Add in the other protesters that would have been shipped in from around the country to cause trouble and you can see what they're up to."

"We cannot let these creatures win so we must remain as calm as we possibly can on these protests. Yes I know tensions are running high and people are rightly furious about what is happening to our communities and we must make a stand."

"I will continue to represent you all in Parliament and use my voice as your voice but please do not fall into the traps being set to portray you all as far right racists. You're not and I am proud to represent you all."