Reform mayoral candidate suspended after likening Jewish security group to ‘Islamists on horseback’

His comment appeared to be a reference to an incident from early March when two men on horseback were involved in a confrontation during rival pro- and anti-Iranian regime supporters in Manchester. The men, identified as supporters of the Iranian regime, rode towards and appeared to chase anti-Khamenei demonstrators.

A Reform UK spokesperson said: “Chris Parry has been suspended by Reform UK pending investigation.” The party has also suspended his mayoral candidacy.

Rabbi Hershel Gluck, Shomrim’s president, said of Parry’s comments: “It shows a level of bias and ignorance which I’m surprised at given that this is a politician who aspires to be a mayor.

“We work on a voluntary basis with all sections of the community and have a very close relationship with the police, who are very appreciative of our role.”

Early on Monday morning, four volunteer-operated ambulances parked outside a synagogue in Golders Green were set ablaze by three unidentified individuals.

Parry, who is also the honorary president of Veterans for Reform, had previously garnered controversy over telling David Lammy to “go home” to the Caribbean where his “loyalty lies”, comments for which he apologised in January.