Senior Tory gives eye-witness account of 'despicable' anti-Semitic abuse at conference

A senior Conservative has given an eye-witness account of anti-Semitic abuse from protestors outside the Tory conference this week, writes Justin Cohen

Stephen Woods, Chairman of the Conservative Sale East and Wythenshawe Association, was leaving the centre with a group of Jewish friends, wearing traditional kippah skullcaps, on Sunday when the incident took place.

He said: “ The abuse we had to endure was despicable, with a number of protestors screaming ‘Jewish Tory scum, get back to Auschwitz.’ I have never heard such vile language. The whole incident left us all shaken up.”

Protestors had chanted ‘Nazi’ and ‘Tory scum’ at hundreds of delegates as they entered the conference.

Manchester Police told Jewish News yesterday it has “not received any reports in relation to this matter. The public is aware that GMP will not stand for any incidents of anti-semitism and officers policing the conference have been given clear direction to take action against any individual who goes beyond peaceful protest into unlawful actions.

As a result, officers are arresting and charging those we believe to be responsible for any offences committed against either delegates or protestors.

If anyone has been a victim of any such incident, they are encouraged to please report this to the police and we will investigate.”