Ex-Northern Ireland Secretary claims EU tried to ‘block kosher products’
Brandon Lewis makes the claim during Sky News interview after being asked to defend Liz Truss comments alleging antisemitism in civil service
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Brandon Lewis has accused the European Union of “trying to block the Jewish community of Northern Ireland from getting access to kosher products” after being asked to defend allegations made by Liz Truss about the “woke” civil service.
In an interview on Kay Burley’s Sky News show, the former Northern Ireland Secretary was asked about the Tory leadership contender’s comments about alleged antisemitism in the civil service.
Interviewer Niall Paterson pressed Lewis about claims of “widespread” antisemitism in the civil service, asking;”Where is it?”
Lewis said :”Liz outlined that she came against challenges in the Foreign Office about having to deal with some of these issues. She broke through that.”
He then added that within his own role he said:”Where I saw anything against the Jewish community it was coming from the EU who were trying to block the Jewish community of Northern Ireland from getting access to kosher products. That’s what dealing with the Northern Ireland protocol was all about.”
.@BrandonLewis cannot substantiate @trussliz charge of Whitehall antisemitism so falls back on every #Brexiter’s reflex – falsely accuse the EU.
I fought as MEP to maintain rights to kosher products under EU law. Situation in NI was created not by the EU but by #ToryHardBrexit https://t.co/87iztqRINj— Sarah Ludford ???????? ???????????????? ???????? (@SarahLudford) August 15, 2022
Paterson pressed Lewis saying “plenty” of politicians and “every” civil servant he had spoken to had disputed Truss’s claims of antisemitism.
Lewis said:”I don’t think that’s the point she was making at all. The Liz Truss I’ve worked with, whether it’s on Northern Ireland issues or defending and protecting the Jewish community has been absolutely at the forefront of what is right.”
The QC Simon Myerson was among those to immediately criticise Lewis over his remarks.
He tweeted that Lewis was ” not telling the truth.”
Myerson added:”There has been no such difficulty. My community is not his political football. We are not there to be used so he can get his preferred candidate elected.”
The Lib Dem Baroness Sarah Ludford also criticised the remarks saying Lews “cannot substantiate Liz Truss charge of antisemitism so falls back on ever Brexiter’s reflex – falsely accuse the EU.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
