Communities Secretary apologises to Sir Roger Scruton over sacking

Controversial philosopher Sir Roger Scruton has received an apology from the Government minister who sacked him over comments in a magazine interview.

Sir Roger was dismissed from his role as a housing adviser in April but James Brokenshire has said he regretted the way the decision was made.

Communities Secretary Brokenshire is expected to meet Sir Roger in the coming days to see what role he would be prepared to play on the building design agenda in future.

Sir Roger was dismissed over a series of comments reported in the New Statesman, including claims of a “Soros empire” in Hungary – a reference to Jewish billionaire George Soros.

The magazine did not include the rest of his statement that “it’s not necessarily an empire of Jews; that’s such nonsense”.

The magazine subsequently apologised for the way it had posted social media links to the article in which “the views of Professor Scruton were not accurately represented in the tweets to his disadvantage”.

In a letter published in the Spectator, Mr Brokenshire apologised for sacking Sir Roger from his role in the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission.

“As you know, I regret that the decision to remove you from your leadership role within the commission was taken in the way that it was.

“I am sorry – especially as it was based on a clearly partial report of your thoughts.”

He said he is considering the next phase of the commission’s work and “if you would be willing, I would like to invite you to meet to discuss this work and what part you might be prepared to play in advancing this important agenda which we both care about so much”.

A Number 10 spokeswoman said: “The Communities Secretary has expressed regret over the circumstances of his dismissal. I believe that they are meeting in the coming days to have a discussion.”