Jewish Conservative councillor suspended over World War II internment tweets

A Jewish Conservative councillor has been suspended by her party after tweets were unearthed appearing to support the wartime internment of Japanese and German nationals.

Linda Freedman was elected last month in the Edgware ward in the north London borough of Barnet.

The tweets, apparently sent from Ms Freedman’s account in November 2016, were replies to a Washington Post article by Star Trek actor George Takei.

The piece by Mr Takei, who was born in America to Japanese parents, drew parallels between the internment of Japanese and German nationals in the United States during the Second World War and the treatment of Muslims in America today.

His article urged America never to intern Muslims in the same way but Ms Freedman tweeted: “They interned my German (family) too for 1 year during WW2. It was the right thing to do for sake of security.

“Most Japanese interned in Canada in WW2.”

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell circulated screenshots of Ms Freedman's tweets as he called for an investigation.

He wrote: “The Muslim Council of Britain has called upon the Conservative Party to launch inquiry into Islamaphobia (sic) in party.

“Could I suggest they start with asking this Barnet Conservative Councillor about her views which if true seem to support the detention of Muslims for being Muslims.”

Ms Freedman was first elected to represent Edgware ward last month. The Conservatives took control of Barnet, winning 38 of 63 council seats.

There were claims antisemitism within Labour had cost the party in the area.

Richard Cornelius, the leader of Barnet Council, said: "Following historic tweets by Cllr Linda Freedman being brought to our attention, she was suspended from the Hendon Conservative Association and the Barnet Council Conservative Group, pending an internal investigation.

"Barnet Conservatives were proud to have been returned to office with an increased and diverse group of councillors from many different faiths and ethnicities and we take all allegations of prejudice extremely seriously."

Ms Freedman declined to comment.

The original version of this article incorrectly included the claim that Ms Freedman’s whip was removed. This article has been amended to reflect this fact. Ms Freedman’s suspension was lifted by Hendon Conservative Association on 28 June 2018 and by Conservative Central Office in September 2018