Akhmed Yakoob: Galloway-backed election candidate mired in misogynism row

An independent candidate endorsed by George Galloway has apologised after he was accused of making “deeply disturbing” comments about women.

Akhmed Yakoob, who is standing against Labour’s Shabana Mahmood in Birmingham Ladywood with a campaign largely focused on Gaza, told the Minted Minds podcast earlier this year that “70 per cent of hell will be women.”

In a discussion about how men would act around women, he said: “How much can you lower your gaze? […] It’s natural for men to be attracted to females, so keep our queens at home.” Unlike most independent candidates, Yakoob has a strong chance of winning the seat, which has a high Muslim population of more than 35 per cent.  

In response to a fellow podcast guest saying he would give his wife a “backhander” if she made money dancing on TikTok, Yakoob – a criminal defence lawyer – replied: “Brother, are you saying if she comes up in your personal space, you will defend yourself?”

Yakoob said he was “mortified” by his own words, but warned voters not to “fall for attempts to distract them” from voting for him. He added: “My promise to the women of Ladywood is that, in fighting misogyny, they will always have an ally in me.”

The Muslim Women’s Network UK said it was “deeply disturbed by the misogynistic comments”. It urged all women to check candidates’ positions on issues including violence against women and girls (VAWG) and equality.