Labour Party withdraws support for Rochdale candidate Azhar Ali

The hopeful's 7 October conspiracy theory provoked outrage and, in a dramatic reversal, he is now believed to have been suspended from the party

12 February 2024, 8:09 pm

Labour candidate for Rochdale, Azhar Ali, speaks in Rochdale during the launch of his campaign for the up-coming Rochdale by-election

Labour has withdrawn its support for Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali over his October 7th conspiracy remarks , a party spokesperson confirmed.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Following new information about further comments made by Azhar Ali coming to light today, the Labour Party has withdrawn its support for Azhar Ali as our candidate in the Rochdale by-election.

“Keir Starmer has changed Labour so that it is unrecognisible from the party of 2019.

“We understand that these are highly unusual circumstances but it is vital that any candidate put forward by Labour fully represents its aims and values.
Given that nominations have now closed Azhar Ali cannot be replaced as the candidate.”

Ali told a Labour party meeting that Israel had “allowed” the deadly attack by Hamas gunmen on October 7.

It is too late for Labour to withdraw Mr Ali as their candidate and replace him with someone else as the deadline passed on February 2. It is understood that Mr Ali has been suspended from the Labour party pending investigation.