Conservatives reportedly investigating three candidates over antisemitism claims

The Conservative Party is reportedly investigating three parliamentary candidates over alleged antisemitism.

The candidates — Sally-Ann Hart in Hastings, Lee Anderson in Ashfield and Richard Short in St Helens South and Whiston — are facing varied accusations.

Mr Short suggested that a Jewish journalist, Melanie Phillips, may have dual loyalty to Israel in a past social media post, agreeing in June 2013, Richard Short with another Twitter used commenting on Ms Phillips’ appearance on an episode of BBC’s Question Time that “her allegiance is greater to Israel”, adding himself: “She almost has to declare an interest.” Mr Short has apologised.

Meanwhile, it is claimed that Ms Hart shared a video with an image implying that the Jewish financier George Soros, controls the EU, and that she ‘liked’ a Nazi slogan on Facebook. Mr Anderson was reportedly an active member of a Facebook group that apparently promoted conspiracy theories related to Mr Soros.

With regard to Mr Short, a spokesperson from Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “The charge of dual loyalty and disloyalty is among the most widely held antisemitic slurs and must be condemned in the strongest terms possible. Under the International Definition of Antisemitism, adopted by the British Government, “Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations” is antisemitic. We expect the Conservative Party to take immediate action.”