The British Labor party suspended politician Lord Nazir
Ahmed over allegations that he blamed a road accident that he caused on a
Jewish conspiracy.
Ahmed, 55, was jailed for causing a deadly road accident
while texting behind the wheel. Earlier Thursday the Times of London cited him
as saying that his prison sentence was a result of pressure applied on the
court by Jews “who own newspapers and television channels.”
Following publication of these remarks, a Labor spokesman
said: "The Labor party deplores and does not tolerate any sort of
antisemitism.
"Following reports in the Times today we are
suspending Lord Ahmed pending an investigation."
The Board of Deputies of British Jews condemned Ahmed’s
comments saying he had recalled the worse anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
“We are appalled by Lord Ahmed's alleged comments which
recall the worst Jewish conspiracy theories. However outlandish and incredible
his allegations, there will always be gullible or malicious individuals or
groups that will accept what he has said and add to the growth of anti-Semitic
discourse,” said Board chief executive Jon Benjamin.
“We note that Lord Ahmed has now been suspended from the
Labor Party pending a full investigation.
If he is found to have indeed made the reported comments, he should be
expelled from the Labor Party, as such views should have no space in
responsible political discourse,” he added.
Ahmed became one of the first Muslim peers in the UK
after former British prime minister Tony Blair appointed him in 1998.
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