Labour drops council candidate who posted about ‘rich families of the Zionist lobby’
Billy J Wells removed as hopeful in Bradwell South and Hopton council election following controversial social media posts
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
Labour has withdrawn its endorsement of a candidate over a series of posts about “Zionists” controlling politics and the media.
The party’s local campaigns forum acted within hours of reports about social media posting from Billy J Wells, who last month boasted of having been selected to contest a council seat in Bradwell South and Hopton,
He has claimed on Facebook that “it’s the super rich families of the Zionist lobby that control the world. Our world leaders sell their souls for greed and do the bidding of Israel”.
Wells, who suggested allegations of anti-Semitism in Labour as “right wing propaganda”, also wrote: “The Zionist lobby would not allow our puppet government and its media lapdogs to show the truth.”
He also previously backed Ken Livingstone over his comments on Hitler and Zionism.
The case with raised with the Labour leadership and HQ by the Jewish Labour Movement yesterday and Jewish News understands he has now been dropped. He may yet appeal.
Speaking to Jewish News, Wells said: “Until I have all the facts I can’t go into specifics but I am in no way anti Semitic, in no way racist and my reasons for wishing to enter politics is guided by a desire to see a better and more equal society for everyone.”
“I allow my posts to go out publicly for full scrutiny and to show I am an open page. This news has left me shocked and devastated but I fully intend to seek clarification and clear my name”
His past comments were initially revealed by the Campaign Against Antisemitism earlier this week.
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