Labour councillor faces anti-Semitism inquiry

AN investigation has been launched by Scottish Labour into claims that one of its councillors shared an antiSemitic message online. George McIrvine was reported to party bosses amid allegations he shared a post on Facebook that made reference to Rothschild’s Bank following the decision to bomb Syria.

Party chiefs yesterday confirmed they had begun a probe into the claims.

It was claimed Mr McIrvine, a councillor for Coldside in Dundee, shared a post on Facebook which said: ‘There are only nine countries left in the world without a central Rothschild bank: Russia, China, Iceland, Cuba, Syria, Iran, Venezuela, North Korea and Hungary. Isn’t it funny we are always at war with these countries?’

The post was removed following complaints. Mr McIrvine has vehemently denied any anti-Semitic intent.

He said he had shared the post because it was a comment on banking in general, rather than banks owned by the Jewish Rothschild family. The post was seen by Howard Barclay, who said: ‘This is outrageous and action needs taken. Dundee has a proud record of opposing anti-Semitism and racism of all sorts.’

Mr Barclay wrote to Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard, urging him ‘to take immediate action to suspend and investigate’ Mr McIrvine.

A Scottish Labour spokesman said: ‘Labour has a zero tolerance policy towards antiSemitism, racism or discrimination of any kind. This is being urgently investigated.’