Suspended former Labour council candidate abused JN reporter

A former Labour council candidate accused of intimidating a Jewish News reporter has been suspended from the party pending an investigation, it is understood.

Neil Aldridge, a former council candidate in South West Norfolk, contacted Jewish News reporter Mathilde Frot on two occasions over a story she was pursuing about his social media activity.

Aldridge came to the attention of Jewish News after he suggested doing some “digging around” about the Jewish Channel 4 presenter Rachel Riley on Twitter after she criticised Labour over its response to antisemitism.

Frot says she received an intimidating phone call from Aldridge in February on her mobile after she contacted Aldridge’s Labour group about his social media activity.

One month later, Aldridge contacted Frot on her office landline and insulted her, suggesting the story was politically motivated.

Tim Pilsbury, chair of South West Norfolk Labour Party defended Aldridge, saying: “Neil gave me a detailed explanation and I can see no evidence of racism [in his remarks about Rachel Riley] whatsoever.”

A Labour spokesperson said: “The party takes all complaints of antisemitism extremely seriously and we are committed to challenging and campaigning against it in all its forms.

“All complaints about antisemitism are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.”