Prefer Jewish News on Google
Brexit Party official removed for saying Milibands have ‘shallow UK roots’
Michael McGough, a former UKIP member, has been dismissed from Nigel Farage’s newly-established grouping following his Facebook claim
A senior official from Nigel Farage’s newly-established Brexit Party has been dismissed after a number of antisemitic and otherwise offensive Facebook posts were uncovered by the Guardian.
Party treasury Michael McGough, a former UKIP member, reportedly described Ed and David Miliband and Peter Mandelson as having “shallow UK roots” or being “devoid of UK” roots, the newspaper reports.
In another post, McGough is believed to have referred to David Miliband as the “son of an east European communist now milking it from a charity in New York and devoid of UK roots”.
Another message reads: “The Miliband dudes and Mandelson have the shortest of roots. Transient folk they have no loyalty to the UK.”
The Brexit Party condemned the messages as “unacceptable” and confirmed McGough would no longer hold a position in the Brexit Party.
“The Brexit party is saddened by the unacceptable statements made by Mr McGough. Taken together they mean that he cannot hold a position in the Brexit party,” the party said in a statement.
She added: “The new party will need to institute rigorous anti-racist procedures and policies to ensure this doesn’t keep happening.”
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
