An aristocratic property heir who described his Jewish wife as “greedy, grasping, thieving and lying” has been convicted of racially abusing a leading campaigner against antisemitism.
Harrow-educated Piers Portman, 50, whose family owns the multi-billion pound Portman Estate, called Campaign Against Antisemitism CEO Gideon Falter “Jewish scum” after a hearing involving Holocaust-denier Alison Chabloz-Tyler at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in 2018.
Portman, whose father is the 9th Viscount Portman, wrote to Mr Falter in January 2018 claiming that his own wife and her divorce lawyer, Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia, who is also Jewish, were “greedy, grasping, thieving and lying criminal manipulator[s] of the system”.
The letter also referenced “the Talmud-inspired playing the victim”, Southwark crown court heard.
Portman abused his own wife, Tracy, in the letter, stating: “I am currently married, for 13 years to a greedy, grasping, thieving and lying criminal manipulator of the system that also happens to be Jewish.
“Lately, my wife has taken it upon herself to see her husband as an asset and owing to my disobedience, she has hired the services of the Baroness of Belgravia, Fiona Shackleton, another greedy, grasping and lying manipulator of the system that happens to be Jewish.”
The letter ended: “Can you please tell me what exactly your charity involves?
“Since when is collecting donations to force your opinion on others an act of charity?
“Why don’t you leave the poor middle-aged woman alone and come perform your charity on me?”
Mr Falter told jurors he “had just walked through a Who’s Who of Holocaust deniers, Neo-Nazis, extremists” when Portman approached him as he got out of the lift at Westminster Magistrates Court.
Mr Falter said: “I didn’t want to give him my hand, I said: ‘I’m sorry, I can’t shake your hand, because I don’t know who you are.’
“He lost his temper, he got quite aggressive.
“He said: ‘I’m Piers Portman, I’ve written to you before! Come after me you Jewish scum, come and persecute me, come and get me!’
“I felt cornered in the lift, Portman followed me, continuing what he was saying.
“Portman tried to leave and I put my arm out and said: ‘You can’t leave, wait for the police.’
Mr Falter said Portman was “very, very enraged.”
Court security then let Portman leave before police officers arrived at the scene, and had left when police tried to locate him.
Twice married father-of-three Portman denied using the words “Jewish scum” and said: “It’s not in my nature or character.
“I’m an honourable British man who was brought up to show respect to a fellow human.
“In my opinion the Campaign Against Antisemitism have colluded with each other, they’ve created witnesses that are not independent.
“They’ve agreed upon statements to persecute myself and there are many previous examples.
“The allegations are desperate, they're defamation, they’re less than honourable.”
But the jury rejected his denials and convicted him of religiously aggravated harassment with intent.
Bespectacled Portman, of the Portman Estate, Portman Square, central London, denied the charge, which carries the maximum sentence of two years in jail.
Wearing a black bomber jacket, black trousers, and black Chelsea boots, he smiled and as the verdict was announced.
He was released on bail ahead of sentencing on 22 October but Judge Gregory Perrins warned: “I’m not going to give you any indication now as to what your sentence will be.”
Mr Falter said: “This is a good result for British justice and British Jews. This despicable, unrepentant antisemite instructed his lawyer to tell the court that he is an honourable man being framed by lying Jews.
“The jury saw straight through Mr Portman, whose hatred of Jews speaks for itself. This verdict reaffirms my belief in the justice system of our country. It shows that even the wealthiest and most privileged cannot escape British justice and will face the consequences of their anti-Jewish racism.”
