Labour MP issues ‘unreserved apology’ over tweet with anti-Zionist activist
EXCLUSIVE: Ealing MP Rupa Huq issues statement and 'deletes tweet' after Jewish News asks her to explain Twitter image she posted of herself in Westminster with Hilary Wise
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Labour MP Rupa Huq has issued an “unreserved apology” and deleted a tweet of a photograph of her alongside the notorious anti-Zionist activist Hilary Wise inside the Houses of Parliament.
The Ealing MP posted a photo of herself with Wise on her official Twitter page on Wednesday as the Palestine Solidarity Campaign staged a lobby day of MPs.
Former Labour member Hilary Wise had once suggested claims of antisemitism under Jeremy Corbyn were an “orchestrated smear”and hadurged delegates at the partys 2018 conference to watch the Al Jazeera programme The Lobby, to “see what we are up against.”
Responding to a request from Jewish News to explain Wednesday tweet, Huq said:”MPs are regularly “green carded” by constituents who arrive at parliament without an appointment who may request to see their MP.
“This individual was part of such a group. Having been made aware of this individual’s previous comments, I wish to fully disassociate myself from these opinions and make an unreserved apology for any offence caused. I have also deleted the tweet.”
Multiple sources had earlier confirmed to Jewish News that Huq had previously been warned about the conduct of Wise in the past.
Describing herself as a “writer, academic, supporter of Palestinian rights” on her Twitter biog, in February Wise retweeted a video of a group of protesters chanting “F**k Keir Starmer.”
She also retweeted a JVL statement headlined: “The EHRC has spoken – Labour is no place for left wing Jews.”
In September Huq had the party whip withdrawn after saying that ex-Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng is “superficially black”.
She was recorded during a fringe meeting at Labour conference referring to Kwarteng’s private school background, and added “you wouldn’t know he was black”.
After apologising for the comments, and being suspended for five months, the whip was restored to Huq earlier his month.
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.
