"A newly elected Lambeth councillor was suspended from the Green Party after she allegedly made a series of antisemitic social media posts. Saiqa Ali, 56, was elected as one of 29 Green Party councillors in the south London borough on 7 May. However, the Lambeth Green Party has since said Ali was suspended at the time of the election and would have to either sit as an independent councillor or join a different group."
"In a statement on its website, the Lambeth Green Party said it opposed "all forms of racism... including antisemitism and any threat to the Jewish community". The party said the alleged posts did not reflect the Green Party's values and "we condemn them fully". It said Ali had been suspended pending investigation. Despite her suspension, Ali appeared as a Green candidate on ballot papers on voting day."
"Ali told the BBC: "I am genuinely honoured that the people of St Leonard's ward placed their trust in me and I do not take that lightly. "I also want to be clear that statements I would never make or support in any form have been falsely attributed to me. "My record of over two decades of charity work and community service speaks to who I am and what I stand for. "To those who voted Green and now have questions, I understand and respect those questions. I ask only that you look at my record, my work, and my values.""
"Ali said: "I unequivocally reject all forms of discrimination and racism." She added she was "cooperating fully with all ongoing processes", and was considering whether to sit as an independent councillor. The party said the alleged posts did not reflect the Green Party's values and "we condemn them fully"."
Saiqa Ali, a newly elected Lambeth councillor, was suspended from the Green Party after alleged antisemitic social media posts. She was elected on 7 May as one of 29 Green Party councillors in Lambeth, representing the Streatham St Leonard's ward. The Lambeth Green Party said she was suspended at the time of the election and that she would need to sit as an independent councillor or join a different group. The party stated it opposes all forms of racism, including antisemitism, and condemned the alleged posts while suspending her pending investigation. Ali said she rejects discrimination and racism, is cooperating with ongoing processes, and is considering whether to sit as an independent councillor. She also said the statements were falsely attributed to her and urged voters to review her record and values.
Read at www.bbc.com
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