Why is Starmer Standing by Azhar Ali?

[Dogfisher]

AIBU to think that he should be out on his ear for his blatant anti-Semitism? I actually thought that Starmer was dealing with this in the LP - but this seems to suggest otherwise.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/feb/12/labour-criticised-for-backing-rochdale-candidate-after-offensive-israel-remark

I note the Mayor of Salisbury (Conservative) has left the Conservatives after his antisemitic remarks. Good

Funny though that this one seems to have passed the Mail by completely.

Yes, that’s very odd, isn’t it?

What's this latest one supposed to have said - anyone know?

Obviously the main issue is holding antisemitic views at all, but I swear that some of these people's brains fall out once they get on social media

They’re being very coy about what he said.

Councillor Atiqul Hoque has been expelled for sending "offensive and inappropriate comments on WhatsApp and social media", according to a statement released by the Conservative Party.

The statement from the party did not disclose the nature of the messages that were the subject of the formal complaint, but following a BBC report, the party has now confirmed to the Journal that the messages were allegedly anti-Semitic.

We don’t know what he said. I’m thinking it must have been pretty bad and they are keeping it hush !

REVEALED: Leaked messages that led to Tories expelling Atiqul Hoque | Salisbury Journal

He sounds unhinged tbh.

Our fav Tory supporters all off the thread now?

Yes alas. I stumbled upon this thanks to being an Alexei Sayle fan. Afaik he hasn't been expelled himself. Despite being Jewish. Possibly was never a member? Perhaps they can evict imaginary members though. Watch this space.

Busy getting stuck into the recession - which apparently is Labour’s fault.

Why the scepticism? It is! Don’t you know Gordon Brown crashed the economy
in 2008 and Conservatives have only had things back in their hands for…14 years 😆

(sarcasm btw!)

Why would anyone say that? It's clearly anti-Semitic.

Unhinged is mild, utterly insane. Also reads like he's encouraging terrorist attacks, on top of the anti semitism. Why can't he spell "state" anyway?

BBC seem to really be doubling down on the leader of the opposition at the moment. It's almost as if there's an election happening this year.

Also semi literate
His ramblings aren't easy to read, but I see he managed to get the "paymasters" and "Christ killers" in there - and it's said there are more to come

@Puzzledandpissedoff he makes other elements sound positively liberal and misunderstood.

I Don't know what's wrong with the world.

What the hell have I just read?

How would someone so unable to string a sentence together get to be mayor?

I've name changed for this as its totally outing as to my location, but honestly - he used to run an exceptionally good local curry house, and I think he became popular in the local community that way. He exited the business to go into local politics, the curry house (under a new name) continues to be delicious.

He was/is quirky, a bit odd, but a nice change from our rather stuffy MP. He was always the one tory that I'd tolerate. I was pleased that he'd gone into local politics and quite liked having him as mayor. He's quite a devout Muslim, though has been working well with other faiths - until now anyway.

He seemed to work really hard at the restaurant, knew customers well, very friendly and approachable (its a fairly small community here). He always struck me as a bit bonkers, but sissy friendly and I was happy to have him as mayor.

His comments were awful and he had to go, no question about that. I'm certainly not defending him apart from his exemplary curry making

I have no idea why my posts are giant and purple BTW 😂

Sissy friendly??

Oh dear - not very supportive;

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/02/15/keir-starmer-antisemitism-scandal-embarrassing-ed-balls/

I have no idea what autocorrect was going on about there. You get my gist though.

"I can challenge you or any ministers they will lose their post if they suggest 2 estate solutions not Jewish people buy Zionist the pay mastered will NOT acccept it's not in their narrative to do so."

"Don't forget who planted the crucifixion of our beloved Jesus Christ peace be upon him, they are good at that.. do you think in the second coming JC will agree the blame of blasphemy NO! What does that mean... his not god he's a messenger a prophet."

This guy is the mayor of a whole city? Was he drunk when he wrote this?