A Conservative councillor had his whip removed pending an investigation after he reportedly told a candidate for a senior officer role that speaking to residents might be challenging "unless you are able to speak Hebrew".
According to a report in the Bury Times, citing a Labour source, Bury councillor Robert Caserta made the remark during an interview last year.
He also apparently discussed the individual’s two young children within the context of the job application, according to the outlet.
Local Tory MP Christian Wakeford and Cllr Nicholas Jones - the council's Conservative group leader - said in a joint statement they had "always enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Jewish community."
"We consider antisemitism in all its forms abhorrent and will continue to call it out wherever it is found, including within our own party. Cllr Caserta’s comments were at best inappropriate and deeply offensive and at worst could be construed as antisemitic, so it is right that prompt action is taken. We have acted as a matter of urgency and immediately removed the whip from Cllr Caserta pending a full investigation into this matter," they said.
The local authority did not confirm the nature of the remarks when approached by the JC.
But a private disciplinary hearing held earlier this month ruled that an apology must be made and equality training completed by late June.
Mr Caserta was found to have “used inappropriate language that was disrespectful and wholly inappropriate” and been “disrespectful.”
The panel also found that his words may affect the local authority’s “ability to recruit high calibre candidates in the future”.
The council Labour group said it was “disappointed but not surprised” by the allegations.
Mr Caserta did not return a request for comment.
