Michael McGough, former treasurer of Brexit Party, who accused some Jewish politicians of having “shallow UK roots”, is still a director of the Party

Michael McGough, the former treasurer of the Brexit Party who reportedly left over social media posts, including posts accusing some Jewish politicians of having “shallow UK roots”, is still listed as a director of the organisation.

Mr McGough was reportedly removed as treasurer a month ago after posting what the Party called “unacceptable statements.” A Party statement at the time said that he would no longer have any role in the organisation.

According to The Guardian, which exposed the posts, in some messages, Mr McGough referred to Ed and David Miliband and Peter Mandelson as having “shallow UK roots” or being “devoid of UK roots.”

To portray Jews as being foreign to Britain or their home country is a common antisemitic trope. It has echoes of Jeremy Corbyn’s comment that Zionists “don’t understand English irony.”

The Guardian reported that one post from Mr McGough in 2017 called David Miliband the “son of an east European communist now milking it from a charity in New York and devoid of UK roots.” Another message said that: “The Miliband dudes and Mandelson have the shortest of roots. Transient folk they have no loyalty to the UK.”

One reply by another user reportedly told Mr McGough that he was on “slightly dangerous ground”. McGough replied that: “True, but there is a valid point to be made even if it seems offensive. It is not dissimilar to Lord Tebbit’s cricket test.” A post about Mandelson read that: “I resent being called racist by an old queen with shallow UK roots.”

Another senior member, Catherine Blaiklock, the first leader of the Party, reportedly resigned over a series of anti-Islam messages but also remains listed as a director.

Both Mr McGough and Ms Blaiklock were longtime UKIP members and moved to the Brexit Party with Nigel Farage, the Party leader and fellow director.