Labour frontbencher Kate Osamor has continued to employ an aide in her House of Commons office who was “immediately suspended” for endorsing antisemitic social media posts back two years ago, it has been revealed.
Elizabeth Dudley had previously 'liked' social media posts that mentioned Zionist conspiracy theories and made comparisons with Nazi Germany.
When asked about the activities of her Commons researcher, Ms Osamor, the shadow International Development Secretary, said in June 2016: “Having been made aware of these posts, the member of staff has been suspended with immediate effect.”
But the Mail on Sunday reported this weekend that, after keeping her job with the Labour MP, Ms Dudley has shared controversial messages, including one from anti-Zionist activist Miko Peled, who defended labelling Israeli forces as Nazis.
Mr Peled caused a storm at Labour’s 2017 annual conference when he said “free speech” meant Labour members should be able to ask: “Holocaust: yes or no”.
Last month, Ms Dudley shared a video on Facebook by Mr Peled, in which he said: “So they get offended when they are compared to Nazis and other oppressive and genocidal regimes.
"Well, if you’re offended by it, don’t do it. You know, they’re offended by the name, well they should be offended because what they’re doing is offensive.”
The JC has contacted Ms Osamor for comment but received no reply when this article went live.
Ms Osamor is facing mounting pressure after continuing to employ her son Ishmael as her “senior communications officer” after he admitted two weeks ago to having cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine and cannabis at a music festival last year.
He resigned as a councillor in Haringey, after admitting at Bournemouth Crown Court three charges of possessing drugs with intent to supply and a fourth charge of possession.
He was also sentenced to do 200 hours of unpaid work and made to pay £400 towards the costs of the prosecution.
Ms Osamor sparked anger last year after tweeting a link to a campaign calling for the 'boycott, divestment and sanctions' against Israel.
Her support for an Israel boycott contradicts official Labour policy but she was allowed to keep her job, despite calls for her to go.
