Tory candidate suspended for Miliband Jewish slur
A Conservative council candidate who said on Sunday she could not support the Labour Party leader because he is Jewish has been suspended following criticism for the remarks.
Gulzabeen Afsar, who is standing for the council in the Littleover Ward in Derby, posted on social media that she could never support Ed Miliband, who she referred to as “al yahud” – the Arabic word for Jew.
Her first post on Facebook read: “Just can’t take Mr Ed Miliband seriously!! DC [David Cameron] has what it takes to be the future PM.”
When another user replied that she should respect Miliband as a potential future prime minister, Afsar replied: “Nah bro! Never ever will I drop that low and support the al yahud lol.”
Her comments were attacked by other parties.
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“With anti-Semitism on the rise across Europe it is abhorrent and terrifying that a prospective Conservative politician would say something like this,” a spokesperson for Derby Labour Party said.
“Derby Conservatives should launch an immediate investigation into this incident and take the appropriate action. Derby must be free from prejudice, especially from those seeking elected office.”
Jay Stoll, of the Jewish Leadership Council, told the Jewish News the comments were “unacceptable,” adding “the relevant authorities should investigate this matter swiftly.”
“This comment was offensive and wrong. There is no place in our party for these comments or attitudes and Ms Afsal has had her party membership suspended pending a full disciplinary hearing,” a Conservative spokesman said.
The party later added that Afsal had removed the post and had apologized.
A local Labour councilor said her post had been “disappointing.”
“As an ethnic minority councilor myself, it's very disappointing. I'd expect her to have better control of her comments,” Baggy Shanker said.
Afsal will still appear on the election ballot paper on May 7 marked as a Conservative candidate.
