Labour campaign team member is suspended in ‘anti-Semitism’ row
A SENIOR member of Labour’s election campaign team in Bridgend is understood to have been suspended by the party after a complaint about her alleged reaction to a mocked-up picture on social media that depicted the town’s mayor as Adolf Hitler.
The mayor Steven Bletsoe’s wife is Jewish and he says his family has been deeply upset by what they see as an act of anti-Semitism.
Mr Bletsoe is standing as an Independent candidate in the Bridgend constituency at next week’s Senedd election.
In a formal complaint to the Labour Party he stated: “I am a local councillor in the area, I am the Mayor of Bridgend Town and hold a civic position in the area.
“My wife and children are of Jewish heritage – a heritage that all of them are proud of.
“My wife and children publicly refer to their Jewish heritage. They do not hide their identity.
“At approximately 2.30am on Thursday, February 18, I was the victim of a racially aggravated public order offence and a malicious communication crime by a gentleman whom I have never met.
“My head was superimposed onto the torso of Adolf Hitler in full uniform and uploaded to social media.
“This has been reported to South Wales Police.
“While I was attending Bridgend police station to report the matter there were two ‘threads’ on two local Facebook groups discussing the nature of what had occurred overnight.”
In his complaint, Mr Bletsoe alleges that during the debate on Porthcawl’s People Front, Emily Hearne’s Facebook account asked: “Did anyone see the photoshop that someone posted of Steven on the BCI [Bridgend County Independents] post.
“I’m crying with laughter. What bedlam (laughing emoji).”
Ms Hearne is a senior member of Bridgend Labour Party’s campaign team.
Another member of the group replied: “I did! I can’t see it now though!”
According to Mr Bletsoe’s complaint, her account then stated: “Don’t worry I saved it (laughing emoji)”.
The other member said: “He must be livid waking up to see all the drama this morning (anxiety emoji).”
A third member of the group stated: “@Emily No, what was it” before All again stating: “@Emily cheers! Oh dear and lawks above! No wonder you didn’t want to post on an open forum (four laughing emojis).”
A fourth member of the group then stated: “(three laughing emojis) Made my morning! (thumbsup emoji).”
Mr Bletsoe’s complaint continued: “My complaint to you is in relation to the actions and conduct of a prominent CLP executive member in Bridgend who has firstly stated that it is so funny that she was crying with laughter and who saved it to her phone before sharing it privately with others and further discussed it on a public page.
“The hurt this has caused my Jewish heritage family is huge and I request that the Labour Party investigate her actions as she is a prominent Labour member and she should not be acting in this manner.
“My wife has been in contact with her local rabbi in Cardiff for support and she, along with South Wales Police, are in touch with the [Jewish] Community Support Team in order to provide support.”
A Labour Party spokesman said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints of anti-Semitism extremely seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.”
It is understood that Ms Hearne has been administratively suspended from the Labour Party, pending investigation.
We contacted Ms Hearne requesting a comment, but she did not respond.