EXCLUSIVE: UKIP suspend candidate after ‘outrageous anti-Semitic slur’
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
A UKIP parliamentary candidate has been suspended after tweeting an “outrageous anti-Semitic slur” to MP Luciana Berger, writes Justin Cohen
Jack Sen, the candidate for West Lancashire, tweeted to the shadow health minister: “You’re about authentic Labour as Ed Miliband. Protect child benefits? If you had it your way you’d send the £ to Poland/ Israel.”
He then wrote: “”Britain’s youngest Jewish MP, Luciana Berger, is facing criticism over her record of….” loyalties.
Suggestions that Jews’ have dual loyalties between Israel and the country in which they live is an age-old anti-Semitic canard.
Following calls for swift action from community leaders, A UKIP spokesperson told Jewish News: “Jack Sen, a UKIP candidate, has expressed views that in no way reflect the views of the Party and any other of our hard working dedicated candidates. In the light of these and other comments Mr Sen has been suspended from UKIP with immediate effect.”
Board of deputies President Vivian Wineman said before his suspension: “This is an outrageous, anti-Semitic slur. We expect UKIP to respond swiftly and decisively and show that there is no room for such racism in their party.”
Berger – who received hundreds of messages of abuse last year after Garron Helm was jailed in a landmark case over an anti-Semitic tweet to her – told the Jewish News, she said: “This is clearly an anti-Semitic comment. Remarks like these have no place in our politics. I expect UKIP to take action.”
In the space of just a few minutes last night, the account also targeted Tory Party chairman Grant Shapps, another high-profile Jewish politician. A tweet said: “So many top American politicians have dual loyalties. Sad to see someone so important in the Tory party with a dual allegiance.”
The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism said: “Suspension must be followed by full disciplinary proceedings and Jack Sen’s expulsion from UKIP. We hope that Lancashire Police will now investigate under section 127 of the Communications Act. Anti-Semitism must be met with zero tolerance each and every time.”
Shneur Odze, the head of UKIP Friends of Israel, “warmly welcomed” the suspension which “sends out a strong message to any racists, you won’t find a home in UKIP”.
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