Exclusive: UJS accuses NUS of issuing ‘simply untrue’ statement about rapper Lowkey
UJS president Nina Freedman has challenged NUS president Larissa Kennedy on claim Lowkey was not set to perform at the NUS 100 concert
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
The Union of Jewish Students have accused the National Union of Students of issuing a statement that was “simply untrue” about rapper and conspiracy theorist Lowkey’s planned appearance at a centenary party.
When confronted last week about a series of online adverts that appeared to suggest Lowkey would be amongst the headline acts at the 28 March NUS 100 party, the student body issued a statement saying he was merely speaking at a Liberation conference event on March 30.
But Jewish News understands that Nina Freedman, the current UJS president, emailed the NUS president Larissa Kennedy on Monday, to suggest the statement they put out was “simply untrue.”
The UJS president added: “We know for a fact that Lowkey was invited to perform at the NUS 100 party.
“To frame this simply about the Liberation conference seems intentionally misleading. Do you have a statement about his performance at your flagship centenary celebration?”
In the email to Kennedy, Freedman added: “Furthermore, it was Lowkey himself who you claim pulled out, leaving me deeply concerned that still to this moment, NUS see no issue whatsoever with his comments about 9/11, his statements on Ukraine, his attacks on Jewish students and staff of UJS, his support for Chris Williamson, his support for David Miller. The list does seem to go on.”
Freedman also criticised the NUS’s claim that “misinformation” was being used against Lowkey.
And she attacked the decision to involve Lowkey in their decolonisation campaign, stating: “You also write that ‘his contribution would have been invaluable to students’ discussions on decolonising education, class injustice, and divesting from companies that harm people and planet globally’ but do not acknowledge the danger posed by his conspiratorial views.
“Do you value his input on these issues more than you value the truth about 9/11, the war in Ukraine, and many other issues?”
The email urged NUS “to release a simple statement that clarifies the truth of the matter – that Lowkey was invited to perform at your centenary, apologising to Jewish Students for the hurt caused by inviting him, and making it clear that NUS stands in solidarity with Jewish students, with Ukrainian students, and explicitly standing with UJS against a man who has spread vicious lies about your only affiliated organisation.”
Jewish News understands that Kennedy, and other NUS official are yet to respond.
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.