Accusations of ‘bullying’ by Labour over Malone

Some members say they regard email as warning for them not to criticise candidate

Labour chiefs in Dundee have been accused of using “bullying” tactics to silence party members considering speaking out against a parliamentary candidate at the centre of an antiSemitism row.

The Courier revealed on Saturday how former firefighter and Dundee West candidate Jim Malone was the focus of fresh concerns following the emergence of video footage campaigners claim shows him during a speech drawing parallels between the treatment of Palestinians and Nazi concentration camps.

In response to the controversy, Scottish Labour previously said it “takes all complaints of anti-Semitism extremely seriously and they are fully investigated”.

Just hours later, Dundee Labour Party chairwoman Pauline Rourke and secretary Marion Sporing wrote to all local members and party affiliates accusing the press of attempting to “discredit” Mr Malone.

They also claimed Graeme McKenzie, a Co-Operative Party representative on the local executive committee who this week called on members to support calls for his suspension, had spoken “outwith the terms of our constitution”.

The pair wrote: “An elected member of the Dundee Labour executive has placed on record comments which we believe are in breach of party rules and are of detriment to the party.”

Ms Rourke – who admitted yesterday she had still not watched the footage of Mr Malone’s controversial speech – said there had been a great response to the email and Dundee Labour would continue to support the former Fire Brigades Union organiser.

A number of local members told The Courier they regard the email as a warning not to speak out against Mr Malone who, it is understood, will face no disciplinary action.

Fiona Sharpe, of the campaign group Labour Against Anti-Semitism, said there is “serious and substantial evidence” the candidate holds views “which should have no place in mainstream British politics”.

She said: “Scottish Labour appears to be hiding behind process and are reportedly bullying appalled local party members from speaking out. This is simply not good enough.”

SNP equalities spokeswoman Angela Crawley said it is “staggering” Labour still stands by Mr Malone and accused the party of failing to “properly root out anti-Semitism and racism”.

A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: “The Dundee group seem more concerned at how they look.”

Scottish Labour did not comment.

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Dundee West Labour candidate Jim Malone, whose comments have sparked accusations of antiSemitism. However, some Labour activists say they feel they are being silenced from criticising him.