Lord John Mann has criticised a local authority in Somerset after councillors refused to adopt a widely-accepted definition of antisemitism. 

Mendip District councillors voted 35-0 Wednesday not to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition. Seven councillors abstained. 

The council had agreed in February to delay a vote on the issue while an equality steering group reviewed the definition and made recommendations. 

The committee noted strong guidance from the government to adopt the definition but warned its adoption may duplicate or muddy existing protections. It recommended instead the council reaffirm its commitment to the Equality Act 2010 and Human Rights Act 1998.

“The council talks of a muddle. The only clear muddle is one in the competence of the small local authority,” Lord Mann said Friday after he was approached by the JC. 

Lord Mann, who advises the government on antisemitism, said the council “neither understands the IHRA definition, adopted by most councils, all political parties and many countries, nor does it seem to understand the difference between council policy and working practices and the law of the land.”

“The council is not able to adopt the Equality Act 2010, it is bound by the Act. However good equalities practice goes beyond legal requirements,” he said.

“For example a council that allows the misuse of the Holocaust in its deliberations or operations does not break the criminal law, but would still be bringing potential harm to Jewish residents,” he added.

Examples accompanying the full IHRA definition, recognised by the UK and dozens of other countries, include denying the fact, scope, mechanisms or intentionality of the Holocaust and accusing Jewish people of being more loyal to Israel.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said last year he contacted every local authority in the UK to urge them to endorse the definition.

Earlier this week, Mr Jenrick, the Conservative MP for Newark, expressed disappointment after a survey of British universities found nearly 80 per cent had failed to adopt the definition. Just 29 of 133 higher education institutions contacted by the Union of Jewish Students in July confirmed they had recognised IHRA.