SNP urged to probe ‘vile, anti-Semitic’ blog shared on social media
‘Absolutely despicable’
NICOLA Sturgeon has been urged to launch a probe into claims SNP members shared a ‘vile, anti-Semitic blog’.
A post citing Mein Kampf and referencing the Jewish religion of GMB organiser Rhea Wolfson was shared extensively on social media.
It appeared on the SNP Edinburgh East Twitter page, Livingston East Facebook page and the campaign page of two West Lothian councillors.
On the blog, a post entitled ‘GMB – a cockney clique’ attacked the union and targeted Miss Wolfson. It included references to Hitler ‘accusing “the Jew” of gradually assuming leadership of the trade union movement’.
The author of the blog said the essay was an attack on fascism.
The Scottish Labour Party and the GMB have written to Nicola Sturgeon urging her to take action over the post.
Labour’s letter states: ‘It is simply unacceptable that this vile anti-Semitic blog has been promoted by various SNP accounts. You should instigate an inves- tigation into this and suspend those SNP members, notably any elected member, pending an investigation.’
The union said it would seek the advice of lawyers and Police Scotland with a view to further action.
GMB Scotland secretary Gary Smith said: ‘Not only was the content of this blog wrong on numerous levels but, more importantly, the author specifically targeted a young woman in a manner that was laced with anti-Semitism and hate on cultural, gender, political and trade union affiliation grounds – it was absolutely despicable and vile.’
He added: ‘It’s also a snapshot of a widespread problem of online hatred.’
A tweet from the Livingston East SNP account said: ‘The linked article does not express the views of Livingston East SNP and the offending posts have been deleted. The individual will no longer be posting on behalf of Livingston East SNP. We apologise for any offence caused.’
An SNP spokesman said: ‘The blog should not have been shared by any SNP member and Rhea Wolfson deserves a full apology from the author.’
The blog’s author said: ‘The only sinister aspect to my essay is the way political opponents tried to make it sound sinister.’