• WE, as representatives of Camden Liberal Democrats, are seriously worried about the latest evidence of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party and its failure to tackle it.

We are particularly concerned by the way this national scandal is featuring in Camden life.

As the Panorama programme on anti-Semitism within the Labour Party aired last week, a questionnaire to members of the Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) was circulated at a meeting of the Hampstead & Kilburn Constituency Labour Party. It included questions such as “what is the relationship between JLM and the Israeli embassy in London?”

Tulip Siddiq, Hampstead & Kilburn’s Labour MP, has been silent on the latest problems within her own constituency party. Officers of the CLP have condemned the material, but it is not clear that any action has been taken against those who circulated it.

Allegations against Labour Kilburn councillor Thomas Gardiner have been circulating in the national press for months, and have continued to escalate. In this week’s Sunday Times further allegations have been made.

Camden Liberal Democrats have asked consistently whether it is right that he represent Camden citizens while these allegations remain. Since the allegations were raised he has become consort to the mayor of Camden and therefore a public representative of the whole borough.

The Labour leader of Camden Council, Cllr Georgia Gould, has made no comment on the allegations regarding Cllr Gardiner. She must make her position clear. Does she support him? Is she content he remains in public office as these allegations build and remain uninvestigated?

All Camden residents deserve to know that they will be represented by their councillors and MPs, regardless of their heritage or faith. Tulip Siddiq and Cllr Georgia Gould must make their positions clear on these issues if they are to begin to rebuild trust with the community. Camden Labour must stand up and be counted. Their inaction on these issues cannot continue.

KIRSTY ALLAN
Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson
Hampstead & Kilburn

STEPHEN CROSHER
Parliamentary Spokesperson Holborn & St Pancras

CLLR FLICK REA
Group Leader on Camden Council

CLLR LUISA PORRITT MEP
& Group Chief Whip on Camden Council

CLLR TOM SIMON
Group Deputy Leader on Camden Council