CAA private prosecution leads to conviction and sentence for man who shared antisemitic conspiracy theories online

Michael Derham, who shared antisemitic conspiracy theories online, was sentenced at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Friday following a private prosecution by Campaign Against Antisemitism.

Mr Derham, of Newcastle upon Tyne, pleaded guilty last month and was convicted of five offences contrary to section 127(1)(a) and (3) of the Communications Act 2003 after he made a series of posts on his X account in October 2023.

The posts were exposed on X by Steve Cooke, who regularly speaks out against antisemitism online.

Mr Derham used his X account to express opinions about Jews that included:

• “Why are you allowing Jews to manipulate our politics?”
• “Western politicians have all been bought or blackmailed by Israel, Mossad or Jewish lobby [sic].”
• “How much of what we’ve been told about Jews and Israel since WWII has been lies/propaganda? We should stop believing it now.”
• “Mind you Jewish people are showing themselves to be easy to hate, especially their politicians, diplomats and media. Makes you question all the myths they have spread about themselves.”
• “We need to know who in politics and media/commentariat has Jewish connections like [Prime Minister Keir] Starmer. We can then ignore them.”

According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Making stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective, such as the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions,” is an example of antisemitism.

Campaign Against Antisemitism brought the private prosecution against Mr Derham after the Metropolitan Police told us that “no suspect was identified” in its investigation and that it would therefore not refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mr Derham was sentenced to a Category D fine of £600 and ordered to pay £400 towards prosecution costs, to be paid at £100 per month.

The Court noted Mr Derham’s early guilty plea, apparent remorse and good character when determining his sentence. The Court also decided that there was no need for greater intervention due to his age and health difficulties. His limited income was also taken into account.

Campaign Against Antisemitism would like to thank Edmonds Marshall McMahon (EMM) for its work on the case and Shada Mellor, of Trinity Chambers, who was instructed by EMM.

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “Michael Derham’s sentencing marks a victory against those who feel that they can openly spew Jew-hatred. When antisemitism crosses the criminal threshold and the authorities fail to deliver justice, we will fight to secure justice ourselves, just as we have done here.

“It should not be necessary for us to take measures such as this, but the failure of the criminal justice system to provide adequate deterrence against rampant antisemitism leaves us with little alternative. Mr Derham’s repeated parroting of conspiratorial rhetoric about Jews is despicable and could not go by unchallenged. Those who target Jews should know that ruinous consequences will await them.”

Image credit: Steve Cooke