Lib Dems defend candidate’s tweet appearing to call Israel leaders ‘psychopaths’

The Liberal Democrats have defended a tweet sent from a candidate’s personal account in 2014 appearing to describe Israeli leaders as “psychopaths.”

Helen Belcher, 56, who joined her party in 2015, is contesting Chippenham in next month’s general election, a seat held by Conservative politician Michelle Donelan.

A tweet sent from Belcher’s account in 2014 appears to suggest that Israeli, ISIS and Ukrainian leaders be sent to an “isolated place.”

“Trying to work out if there’s a way we can send psychopaths to an isolated place instead of them ending up in charge. #Ukraine #Israel #ISIS,” the tweet says.

A spokesperson for the party said “Helen’s tweet alludes to leaders whom she feels are behaving like psychopaths, it makes no reference to their ethnicity in relation to this.”

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson reaffirmed on Wednesday the Liberal Democrat policy of backing a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

“The public want peace and our role, to the extent that we can influence this, is to try and make sure a peaceful solution, two states existing side by side in harmony, can be achieved,” she said.

Belcher has been approached for comment.

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