Lib Dem mayoral candidate dropped over antisemitism
A Liberal Democrat candidate shortlisted for the 2021 London mayoral contest has been suspended by the party after video emerged showing the political hopeful making antisemitic remarks.
In footage from the 1997 general election campaign, Geeta Sidhu Robb urged voters in Blackburn not to vote for her Labour opponent Jack Straw – shouting through a megaphone: “Don’t vote for a Jew, Jack Straw is a Jew.”
She can also be seen telling a documentary crew: “I’m going to get a car and walk around, and drive through town telling everyone Jack Straw is a Jew. How is a Muslim going to vote for someone who is Jewish?”
Ms Robb apologised for her “ignorant” behaviour and was suspended by the Lib Dems when the unearthed
clip was shared online after
Politics Home reported on the footage.
“There is an investigation underway in accordance with due process,” said a party spokesman.
The former lawyer – selected last week as one of the final two to be the Lib Dems’ candidate for London mayor – tweeted: “I am deeply ashamed of the ignorant and abusive language I used on one occasion in the 1997 general election campaign.”
She added: “Those words are entirely inconsistent with my views and values, and though there are no excuses for my actions, there is some context; that is, that I was under a great deal of strain and retaliated to the racial abuse I was receiving in Blackburn ‘like for like’.”
Ms Robb also said she was “actively reaching out to the Jewish community to listen and learn”.
The resurfaced clip is from a 1997 BBC documentary showing Ms Robb – then standing as the Conservative candidate for Blackburn – accusing Labour activists of telling voters “she is against Islam, she is not Muslim”.
The candidate is then seen driving around with a megaphone, saying in Urdu: “If you vote for him, you’re voting for a Jew. Jews are the enemies of Muslims.”
She is later seen in regretful mode, telling the camera crew: “I didn’t want racism and bigotry to play a part in anything … I did it because I was furious. I must admit I wish I hadn’t done it.”
A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: “The Liberal Democrats take all allegations of this nature extremely seriously. A complaint has been received by the party and will be actioned in accordance with our processes.”