Reported by William Mata, Times Local News
The Tunbridge Wells Labour Party is holding discussions this morning after an election candidate’s ‘anti-Semitic’ social media posts forced his resignation.
Roy Smart was hoping to stand for the party in St James’ ward for the Borough Council elections on May 3.
Labour has confirmed he stepped down yesterday, following the revelation he posted links on social media, urging followers to question the Holocaust.
Mr Smart was a frequent user of Facebook and shared an article with the headline: ‘Holocaust deprogramming course: Free yourself from a lifetime of Holo-brainwashing’.
In another post, he wrote: ‘People being allowed to question if the Holocaust happened is not the same as being a Holocaust denier. Any more than protesting about the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians is anti-Semitic. Closing down debate though is about power and control, and a fascist state that wants to subordinate our democratic rights to free speech’.
St James’ is a Liberal Democrat stronghold ward and former Mayor David Neve is hoping to defend the seat.
Labour has not announced a replacement candidate. The party is set to make a full statement later this morning.
