Naz Shah, the MP who was suspended from the Labour party for antisemitic social media posts, is being investigated by police.
The MP for Bradford West, who has since been readmitted to the party, sparked a controversy earlier this year when it emerged that she had tweeted an image suggesting that Israel be “relocated” to the United States.
In a second post, she compared Israel to Nazi Germany, while another called on her friends to back an anti-Israel poll.
The outcry led to Mrs Shah issuing an apology, saying “it does not reflect my views”. She was stripped of the party whip but was allowed back two-and-a-half months later.
West Yorkshire Police launched an inquiry into the matter after receiving several complaints from the public, it has emerged. The probe is now in its final stages.
According to MailOnline, officers have taken advice from prosecutors and are preparing to pass a full file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) within days. Ultimately, this could see Mrs Shah being charged for inciting religious hatred - an offence punishable by up to seven years in prison.
A spokesman for the police force said an “investigation is ongoing”, which is the first time they have revealed that the politician is under suspicion.
The investigation is being overseen by officers in West Yorkshire’s Protective Service team, which is responsible for many sensitive inquiries. Asked whether the MP had been interviewed under caution, a police spokesman said: ‘We’re not prepared to offer any further comment at this time.’
Mrs Shah, 42, who posted the map of Israel superimposed onto a map of the USA before she was elected, was readmitted to the party just 10 weeks after the allegations emerged. Critics are now demanding that the party reveal whether it knew she was under police investigation at the time.
At the height of the furore, Mrs Shah made several public apologies about her comments.
She wrote in the JC: “My understanding of antisemitism was lacking. I didn't get it. I don't believe in hierarchies of oppression, but I'd never before understood that antisemitism is different - and perhaps more dangerous - than other forms of discrimination, because instead of painting the victim as inferior, antisemitism paints the victim as, in a way, superior and controlling.”
Ms Shah has been asked for comment.
A CPS spokesperson told the JC that police were still investigating and no file had yet been received.
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