Tory HQ dismisses appeal by Hertsmere councillors over ‘negative campaigning’ sanction

Conservative Party HQ (CCHQ) has dismissed an appeal by four Hertsmere councillors and their election agent who were found guilty of “negative and personal campaigning” that incited antisemitic hatred against a Jewish Labour candidate.

The party’s Individual Member Review Committee agreed that no new evidence had been submitted which could have made a difference to the outcome.

The original April 2022 ruling against the five Tories was made by independent QC Richard Price and approved by then national co-chairman Ben Elliot.

It had investigated a Tory smear campaign that went on for many months against Labour’s Dan Ozarow that took place during a 2020 Borehamwood Kenilworth council by-election in Hertsmere.

It upheld the numerous breaches of the Nolan Principals for Standards in Public Life.

The four appellants – Hertsmere Borough Council’s Leader Morris Bright, eventual by-election winner Councillor Brett Rosehill, Councillor Glenn Briski and then-Hertsmere Conservative Association’s election Agent Jane West – had been reprimanded and sent on training courses by their party for their roles in the campaign.

Ozarow received comments from the public including being was told to “die in the gas chambers” that he was a “Jewish c**t’”and “should be ‘sent to Tehran’ on social media.

A fifth appellant, Councillor Paul Morris quit the Conservative Party last month, complaining that the appeal decision was taking too long.

This annulled his own appeal.

Despite CCHQ stating that the matter was closed, the Board of the Conservative Party, then co-chaired by Oliver Dowden, changed its rules and retrospectively granted an appeal under a new code which was published several weeks after the investigation had been concluded. Dowden then submitted a bundle of papers that provided the basis for their appeal.

Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Labour & Cooperative Group said:”Cllrs Bright, Rosehill, Briski and Morris must now consider their positions. Oliver Dowden should be ashamed of his role in trying to defend them despite the findings of Richard Price KC.

“I’ll be seeking assurances that the sanctions, especially training, have been fully enforced. I know that local people will make up their own minds as to whether or not those who incite hatred should continue to hold public office. ”

Ozarow was recently appointed to the Local Government Associations’ steering group on the prevention of abuse of local councillors.