Green Party candidate arrested on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred online

LocalPolitics
1 May 2026 • 5:40 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Green Party candidate arrested on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred online

  • A Green Party local election candidate was arrested by the Metropolitan Police on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred online, following reports of alleged antisemitic content posted on social media.
  • The alleged posts included comments such as 'ramming a synagogue isn't anti-Semitism, it's revenge,' claims that the government was overrepresented with 'Zionist Jews,' and an image depicting a serpent marked with the Star of David choking the world.
  • Two women, aged 57 and 54, were detained under the Public Order Act, with one confirmed as a Green Party candidate, and remain in police custody; the Green Party stated they would not comment as it is a police matter.
  • These arrests occurred hours after two Jewish men were stabbed in an alleged terror attack in Golders Green, prompting the government to announce a further £25 million investment to enhance security for Jewish communities, bringing the total commitment to £58 million this year.
  • The Prime Minister was heckled during a visit to Golders Green, and Sir Keir Starmer addressed the nation, urging Britons to confront antisemitism and acknowledging that such incidents 'keep happening' despite claims they are un-British.

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