Thursday, May 04, 2006

Leader of LibDem MEPs in Anti-Semitism Uproar

The leader of the LibDem MEPs Chris Davies has been forced to apologise for making an anti-semitics remark in an email. The Press Association reports tonight...

The leader of the Liberal Democrats in Europe has been forced toapologise for making offensive remarks to a Jewish constituent. North West of England MEP Chris Davies faces a dressing down from party leader Sir Menzies Campbell after telling a correspondent hehoped she enjoyed "wallowing in her own filth''. His comments were made in an email after a Jewish constituent hadwritten to him to disagree with comments he made last month, the Jewish News reported. Referring to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mr Davies had claimed that Jews, despite experiencing the Holocaust, did not care that "they have themselves become oppressors.'' The constituent wrote to Mr Davies: "You make the same mistake as many others who call themselves liberals - you seem to equate the situation of the Palestinian people as being exactly the same as the Jewish victims of the Holocaust.'' The Jewish News reported that Mr Davies responded in an email:"Sounds like racism to me. I hope you enjoying wallowing in your own filth.'' In further correspondence, he referred to "the influence of the Jewish lobby that seems to have far too great a say over the political decision-making process in many countries''. The Lib Dems distanced themselves from Mr Davies' remarks but did not dispute what he had said. In a statement, foreign affairs spokesman Michael Moore said: "Mr Davies' comments to his constituent do not represent the policy of the Liberal Democrats. "We repudiate his remarks and apologise unreservedly for the offence given by them.'' Mr Davies, also in a statement, extended a "fulsome apology'' tothe constituent. He added: "It was wholly unacceptable for me to use the languageand tone that I did. I deeply regret the obvious offence that my remarks will have caused. "However much I may disagree with someone else's political views, I accept that there is absolutely no justification for making the comments I did.'' A party spokesman added that Sir Menzies would be speaking to Mr Davies at the "earliest opportunity'' about his comments."

UPDATE: 9.30pm News 24 are reporting that Chris Davies has resigned as leader of the LibDem MEPS.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

BBC News 24 are reporting the Chris Davies has resigned as Leader of LibDem MEPs

Anonymous said...

When will we have a politician who has the balls to say 'I am not apologising for something I have said.'!

If he regrets what he said and thinks it was wrong that makes his saying it in the first all the worse.

Anonymous said...

His language could have been a little more diplomatic, but his points of view could have been made by many who wouldn't regard themselves as racist. If he had to resign his post,it should only be because he doesn't have the required diplomatic skills.

Anonymous said...

llkmf:

Love the Judaizing of Peter Mandelson's name. You are such a hoot... Bet you've got some great Belsen gags too!

You are a twat.

(Of course, I could engage with you at a more reasonable, nuanced level. But, frankly, what's the point? So I'll just limit myself to calling you a twat. Again.)

Anonymous said...

Good that he resigned, what a crackpot.

With a simplistic logic like he has, he'd make a great milkman -- a little more is needed in todays' politics!

To the other posters who spouted various rubbish about the 'jooz' -- could it be that you have overdosed on Hello Hello?

If you're that interested in the conflict that you care to comment, at least educate yourselves a bit about the material, and then it is possible to discuss this(and more interesting too!)

Have you ever wondered why the German Conservatives quietly and firmly support Israel? Maybe you should consider finding out their reasons, it might help you put stuff into perspective.

In fact, the British Conservatives could learn A LOT from the CDU... shame they don't field MP here, I know whom I'd vote for :-D

Anonymous said...

I can just see the confused expressions from Tony's cabinet ministers when they hear of this - "A politician resigning because they did something wrong?!"

What is the world coming to when you hold yourself responsible for your own mistakes?

neil craig said...

"When will we have a politician who has the balls to say 'I am not apologising for something I have said.'!"

That would be Ken Livingstone then.
But Ken was right & Davies wrong because Ken stuck to facts & Davies was gratutously offensive.

Anonymous said...

It is shocking to see how these Jewish journalists skilfully shut any vocal opposition of honest British politicians who voice the state sponsored terrorism of Israel on Palestinians. I grew up in a srilanka where srilankan army killed, raped and tortured many innocent Tamil civilians with the support of the government. The Israeli intelligence service provided training and arms to srilankan government sponsered terrorism to carry out these crimes. People like Hilary Segal needs to be sent prison for denying crime against humanity like British historian David Irving who denied holocaust.
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