‘Grand Wizards’: alleged nickname for Tory Brexiter MPs condemned over its Ku Klux Klan links MPs have condemned the nickname, with Labour’s Angela Rayner asking: ‘Do they know the connotations that name has?’

A group of Conservatives pushing for a hard Brexit have been condemned for allegedly referring to themselves as the “grand wizards”.

However, they later appeared to deny the name, which is associated with the white supremacist group, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).

The alleged existence of the nickname was first revealed by the BBC’s political editor, Laura Kuenssberg, who tweeted that a group of Tories who met the Prime Minister at Chequers on Sunday had used it.

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“The ‘Grand Wizards’ (the new name for the Chequer’s daytrippers apparently) also had another meeting this morning, where they discussed again whether they could get on board to back PM’s deal and there was no firm conclusion,” she said.

2. The 'Grand Wizards' (the new name for the Chequer's daytrippers apparently) also had another meeting this morning, were they discussed again whether they could get on board to back PM's deal and there was no firm conclusion — Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) March 25, 2019

Among the Tory Brexiters to visit Theresa May’s country retreat in Buckinghamshire this weekend were Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees Mogg, Steve Baker, David Davis and Iain Duncan Smith.

‘No intended connection to anything else’

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But Ms Kuenssberg later clarified her initial tweet: “Just catching up on timeline, for avoidance of doubt, couple of insiders told me using the nickname informally, no intended connection to anything else.”

Despite this, MPs and commentators expressed their disgust for the name, which refers to the leaders of the KKK. The terrorist group fought to protect white supremacy in the US in the 1800s.

“Grand Wizards? Really? Do they know the connotations that name has?” asked the shadow education secretary Angela Rayner.

Labour’s Dawn Butler said: “On the 212th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade and 7 days since The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination it’s remarkable that a group of senior Tories have allowed themselves to be named after leaders of the [Ku Klux Klan].”

Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson labelled the group of Tories “members of an out of touch elite”.

These members of an out of touch elite are taking all of us for fools. In these volatile times you can be sure of one thing – whatever happens with the brexit negotiations, these men will prosper. https://t.co/w5C7bH2kid — Tom Watson (@tom_watson) March 25, 2019

‘Not convinced’

Author Malorie Blackman said she was “not convinced” that using the name grand wizards was a “coincidence”.

“The hostile environment’s ripples run even wider and deeper,” she added.

Writer and pro-EU activist Femi Oluwole expressed disbelief over the reference.

I'm high. I must be. The hard Brexiteers have not actually called themselves the Grand Wizards aka the KKK. Clearly I've slipped and fallen into a big ol' pile of drugs and right now I'm trippin' bawz. That's the only logical explanation. https://t.co/GgSd4Bo0DA — Femi (@Femi_Sorry) March 25, 2019

But Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the ERG and one of the Brexiters believed to have met Theresa May at Chequers, appeared to deny they had used the term to describe themselves.

Responding to former chancellor and editor of the Evening Standard George Osborne, Mr Baker said: “No, it’s not for real.”

No, it’s not for real https://t.co/AV5MbiLu5U — Steve Baker MP (@SteveBakerHW) March 25, 2019

i has contacted Mr Baker for comment.