Bingham Town councillor apologises for shouting “Heil Hitler” during council meeting

A councillor for Bingham Town Council has apologised for shouting out “Heil Hitler” during a council meeting on 25th May.

Councillor Viv Leach shouted the remark after the councillors voted on a motion, seemingly comparing their raised arms to Nazi salutes.

A Bingham Town Council spokesperson said: “During the Town Council’s meeting on Tuesday May 25, an inappropriate comment of ‘Heil Hitler’ was made by Councillor Leach for which she wishes to apologise unreservedly.”

Apologising for the comment, Cllr Leach said: “The comment was made in response to an observation which, on reflection, was stupid and thoughtless of me. My comment was not intended to cause offense, but it has and for that I am extremely sorry. If I could take the comment back I would, and therefore I fully accept that there may be consequences.”

The Town Council’s Mayor, Councillor Andrew Shelton, said: “the Council does not and will not tolerate such offensive language or unacceptable comments. However, we will support Councillor Leach in making amends and help identify appropriate training.”

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “The Nazi genocide of six million Jewish men, women and children was punctuated by the call of ‘Heil Hitler’. It is therefore shocking to hear the call of ‘Heil Hitler’ in a town council meeting in 2021 Britain. Cllr Viv Leach’s conduct was utterly deplorable and it is no wonder that she has now apologised for it and accepted that there will be consequences. Mere ‘training’ is, however, insufficient. Instead, she should devote time to taking meaningful action against antisemitism so as to show the sincerity of her remorse. She could start by proposing that her council adopts the International Definition of Antisemitism.”