Labour MP issues ‘unreserved apology’ over tweet with anti-Zionist activist

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In September Huq had the party whip withdrawn after saying that ex-Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng is “superficially black”.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.