Reform mayoral candidate likens Jewish community group to Islamists on horseback'

"Chris Parry described members of Shomrim as 'cosplayers' and compared them to 'Islamists on horseback,' stating they have no more jurisdiction than ordinary citizens."

"Parry retweeted a post questioning whether Christians in Britain could set up their own police, implying a lack of legitimacy for community organizations like Shomrim."

"After being challenged on his comments, Parry stated, 'They are a community organization, not a legal entity,' while maintaining his controversial analogy."

Chris Parry, a Reform UK mayoral candidate, made inflammatory remarks about Shomrim, a Jewish neighborhood watch group, after an attack on ambulances. He likened them to cosplayers and Islamists, stating they have no legal authority. Parry retweeted a post questioning the legitimacy of community organizations like Shomrim. Following backlash, he acknowledged their role as a community organization but maintained his controversial comparison. Parry previously faced criticism for comments about David Lammy, indicating a pattern of contentious statements. Police are investigating the arson attack on the ambulances.

Read at www.theguardian.com