Tory shadow minister claims there are 'no-go zones' in Luton where 'white people won't go'

Published: 06:18 EDT, 6 October 2026 | Updated: 06:35 EDT, 6 October 2026 A Tory shadow minister is at the centre of a row over integration today after claiming that Luton has 'no-go zones' where 'white people won't go'.Blake Stephenson, who represents the neighbouring seat of Mid-Bedfordshire and lives nearby, made the controversial remarks in a debate on immigration at the Conservative Party Conference. Mr Stephenson, who was made a shadow Home Office minister in a reshuffle a fortnight ago, said the town, which has a large Muslim population, was 'a shadow of its former self'.Attacking 'ghettoes' he told the Centre for Policy Studies event in Birmingham: 'There are parts of that town unfortunately - and the police will tell you this, it can be a very dangerous place - there are parts where white people won't go. 'They are like no-go zones. It is not alone, there are other towns across the country in a similar situation. It is dreadful where we have got to.'He added that the Tories had to get over feeling 'icky' about tackling mass immigration, saying it had been 'an absolute disaster' for the country.But he was accused of parroting the language of the far-Right by a Labour Luton MP. Blake Stephenson, who represents the neighbouring seat of Mid-Bedfordshire, made the controversial remarks in a debate on immigration at the Conservative Party Conference Labour Luton MP Sarah Owen said: 'It is deeply irresponsible for any politician, let alone a senior Conservative, to peddle the same far-right nonsense about Luton that we see from the likes of (Stephen) Yaxley Lennon and Reform'Sarah Owen said: 'It is deeply irresponsible for any politician, let alone a senior Conservative, to peddle the same far-right nonsense about Luton that we see from the likes of (Stephen) Yaxley Lennon (Tommy Robinson) and Reform.'It is simply not true. The shadow Home Office minister will have many constituents who work in Luton and will not recognise his warped description. He should get off social media and meet our many fantastic Lutonians.' And the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizzard added: John Tizard, Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, said: 'There is no evidence to support these comments, and neither the police, the borough council nor I recognise the town described in this speech.'