Anderson was responding to an article by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who wrote “the Islamists, the extremists and the anti-Semites are in charge” of the country.

It comes after a vote on a Labour amendment calling for a ceasefire was given the green light.

Anderson said: “I don’t actually believe that these Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is that they’ve got control of Khan, they’ve got control of London.”

Speaking on GB News, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “I wouldn’t use that kind of language but I think this was probably borne out of frustration that we’ve seen now months of protests in London and all too often, as we’ve seen this week where racist words were projected onto the side of Parliament.

“So there is sense that these things just aren’t being gripped to the extent they should do in London, but no I wouldn’t use those words.”

In response to his comments, a Tory source also said: “Lee was simply making the point that the mayor, in his capacity as PCC [police crime commissioner] for London, has abjectly failed to get a grip on the appalling examples of extremism we have seen in London recently.”

Home Secretary James Cleverly has rejected Braverman’s claims but said he “can understand her frustration”.

More to follow…