Sadiq Khan says several being probed over antisemitic speech on Oxford Street

Mayor of London responds to question by Assembly Member Andrew Dismore after complaints using 'anti-Semitic slurs' against tourists

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said that several men accused of anti-Semitic hate speech on Oxford Street are being investigated by the Metropolitan Police.

Khan explained the police action in response to a question at the London Assembly, tabled by Assembly Member Andrew Dismore, after complaints that the men were targeting tourists with “anti-Semitic slurs”.

Dismore’s question is believed to relate to reports of an incident at 5.30pm on Saturday 28 July, in which Londoner Debby Lee said the men – carrying signs relating to ‘Hebrews’ and Israel – told her that the Holocaust didn’t happen.

Khan said the issue had been raised by “a member of the public who reported hearing a group of men making anti-Semitic statements to the public on Oxford Street and the Police in Westminster are investigating this matter as a hate crime”.

He added: “We rightly value free speech in this country, but where that crosses the line into hate speech and hate crime, then the police will respond accordingly… I would urge anyone who has a concern about the actions of any individual or group anywhere on the streets of London to report those concerns to the police.”