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Lib Dems suspend election candidate over antisemitic social media posts
Ashuk Ahmed is no longer contesting the Luton South seat, a party spokesman confirmed
April 25, 2017 16:00
Ashuk Ahmed is no longer contesting the Luton South seat, a party spokesman confirmed
April 25, 2017 16:00The Liberal Democrats have suspended a general election candidate who made a series of antisemitic posts on social media.
Ashuk Ahmed – who was given an award at the House of Lords for “inspirational role models for British Muslims” – is no longer contesting the Luton South seat, a party spokesman confirmed.
Mr Ahmed, 51, who was awarded an MBE for community work, was revealed to have posted a series of highly offensive messages including suggestions Zionists controlled “half the world” and another claim that Labour and the Conservatives were controlled by “Zionist paymasters”.
Among other posts he shared on social media were images of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, with blood pouring out of his mouth onto the bodies of Palestinian children, and another calling him a “blood sucking leech”.
Mr Ahmed also shared a video made by an extreme antisemitic group AshkeNazi, which claims to “expose… the current takeover of the United States by the Jewish Ashkenazi tribe”.
When contacted by MailOnline about Mr Ahmed’s postings, a Lib Dem spokesman said: “You sent us the email with the screenshots at 11:55 and we suspended Mr Ahmed at 11:56.
“Mr Ahmed's utterances have no place in the party. We believe in a politics that is open, tolerant and united.”
Mr Ahmed declined to comment when asked by the MailOnline about his antisemitic posts.
The former parliamentary candidate confirmed he was interviewed under caution by Bedfordshire police in 2014 following a complaint about the posts, which were made before that date.
He resigned from his position on the Bedfordshire Police Independent Advisory Group (IAG) shortly afterwards. No charges were brought, however, and he was re-appointed as the group's vice-chair last year.
Chief Superintendent David Boyle said: “A police investigation was launched into reports of the sharing of antisemitic posts on Mr Ahmed's Facebook page, but no criminal offences were found to have been committed.”
In 2010, Mr Ahmed was given a British Community Honours Award at the Lords naming him as an “inspirational role model for British Muslims as part of mainstream society” who improved “social cohesion”.
He was also named on the Independent on Sunday’s “Happy List” in 2009 which recognised 100 people who make Britain a “better, more caring and contented nation”.
According to Mr Ahmed's official website, he is also a school governor and a trustee for Crimestoppers UK Eastern Region.