Two Green Party candidates, Saiqa Ali and Sabine Mairey, were apprehended on Thursday morning by the Metropolitan Police in London. The arrests stem from an investigation into allegedly anti-Semitic material posted online. Both women were detained under Section 19 of the Public Order Act and are currently in custody for questioning.
The arrests follow a police probe initiated on Tuesday, April 21, after concerns about anti-Semitic content surfacing online were reported. Authorities stated that the investigation is ongoing.
Saiqa Ali, who is standing as a candidate for Lambeth Council in the Streatham St Leonard’s ward, and Sabine Mairey, a candidate for the same council in the Clapham Town ward, are at the centre of these allegations. Reports suggest the material in question includes posts that have been accused of echoing harmful stereotypes about Jewish people, comparing modern Israel unfavourably to Nazi Germany, and referencing Auschwitz. Other alleged posts include descriptions of 9/11 as a "false-flag attack."
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The Green Party has acknowledged the situation, stating, "This is now a police matter."
This development occurs amidst a backdrop of wider scrutiny for the Green Party concerning its candidates' online remarks. Several other Green Party candidates across London have recently faced similar accusations of publishing offensive or racist posts online. This includes a candidate in Camden who allegedly shared posts claiming Israel was behind recent attacks, and another in Croydon reported to have made comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany. The party has reportedly launched investigations into some of these individuals.
In parallel, Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali has reportedly urged suspended candidates to seek legal advice and consider class-action lawsuits against the party over their suspensions, according to a report from the Daily Mail. This stance has drawn criticism from other parties, with a Labour spokesperson calling it "astonishing."
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The controversies highlight a tension between the party's stated values of "compassion" and "safe and inclusive communities," often featured in their campaign materials, and the allegations surrounding some of its prospective councillors. Some of these candidates have also been accused of promoting conspiracy theories, including claims about Jewish involvement in the 9/11 attacks and that "Zionists killed 20 million Christians" in the Soviet Union. One candidate is alleged to have claimed that Jews "love genocide" and referred to them as "cockroaches."
The local elections are scheduled for May 7th.
