Councillor apologises for anti-Jewish historic posts
ANEWLY-ELECTED Birmingham Labour councillor has apologised after posting historic “anti-Jewish” messages on Facebook.
Shabina Bano accused council waste contractor Veolia of being a “zionist supporter” in one post.
In other messages, the newly-elected Small Heath councillor’s Facebook account wished that a court defendant – a child cancer survivor – had died.
The historical posts came to light as she faces a separate Labour Party probe over controversial Covid comments.
Cllr Bano was contacted by the Post about the “discriminatory” comments earlier this week and initially said she did not remember making them. But on Friday night she publicly apologised and said she would be undergoing “awareness training”.
A statement, issued on her new Facebook account, said: “In recent days historic social media posts of mine have come to light.
“I take full responsibility for them, I recognise that they are utterly unacceptable and I apologise unreservedly for them.
“I am also sorry for the harm they have caused, especially to the Jewish community.
“Since joining the Labour Party, my opinion on many issues have changed and these historic posts reflect ignorant views that I no longer hold.
“I will be undertaking further awareness training and I look forward to meeting with the Jewish communities of Birmingham to discuss what more we can do to stamp out antisemitism in our city.
“There is no place for racism or discrimination in our society and I remain committed to serving all the people of Small Heath, who put their trust in me at the elections last year.”
The messages were posted to friends from Ms Bano’s previous Facebook account as far back as 2014. In one, the account replies to someone asking for views on not paying the TV licence fee and seemingly criticises Veolia, the city council-appointed waste collectors.
At that time the council contractor had come under fire publicly over its waste management work in Israeli settlements in Palestine.
The future councillor’s account replied: “Even our rubbish is given to the zionist. The government is destroying our souls, we can’t even get rid of rubbish without feeling guilty! Veoli (sic) is a zionist supporter! It is sickening to b in a country that u call (sic) your own; but your leader is sympathetic to the evil dogs.”
In another message from 2014, Ms Bano’s account replies about a Jewish Chronicle article on former Labour leader Ed Milliband.
The account commented: “Brothers most of UK is run by zionist, even the site we are commenting on is run by a jew! Weather (sic) he is a zionist or not I dnt know.”
In an apparent discussion on gender and children, Ms Bano’s account also posted: “Will birth certificates now not mention gender? Surely, that should also be stopped as the government wants he (sic) child to choose its own sex. Dr’s (sic) should no longer have the right to say it’s a boy or girl. Seriously, this is becoming so pathetic.”
In a message from 2020, seemingly referring to a defendant in a Birmingham court case, the same Facebook account posted: “His solicitor states ‘he had cancer as a child’ shame he never died from it, as his only become (sic) a waste of space on earth.”
Cllr Bano’s apology came after a formal complaint was made to the Labour Party about the comments.
The complainant said: “She holds grossly discriminatory views that are clearly evident in her Facebook posts.
“I hope the Labour Party share my concerns that these views are unacceptable in society, let alone being a Labour councillor and representing your party in office.”
A Labour Party spokesman said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously. They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken.”
Birmingham City Council said: “The matter has been referred to the council’s Monitoring Officer to progress the council’s procedures in relation to elected members.
“At the conclusion of this process, a further statement will be released.”
My opinion on many issues have changed and these historic posts reflect ignorant views that I no longer hold. Shabina Bano