Barking MP Margaret Hodge alerts police about anti-Semitic emails
Barking MP Margaret Hodge - Credit: Vickie Flores
Margaret Hodge has spoken out about being the target of anti-Semitic emails.
(left to right) Cllrs Adegboyega Oluwole, Elizabeth Kangethe, deputy leader Saima Ashraf, Faruk Choudhury and Sade Bright, cabinet member for equalities and cohesion - Credit: Archant
The Barking MP, whose Jewish parents fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s, has had to pass on two racist messages to the police in the past seven days.
An outspoken critic of Jeremy Corbyn having instigated the vote of no confidence that brought about the current Labour leadership battle, Mrs Hodge has called on the party’s top brass to step in and better protect their MPs.
“In the last week I have received two offensive anti-Jewish emails which I have referred to the local police,” she said.
“I have been in public life for over 20 years and I have never received anything like this before.
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“This kind of behaviour has no place in the Labour party or British politics.”
The revelations come as Barking and Dagenham councillors signed a pledge to “stand up and stamp out” hate crimes, including racism and xenophobia, at last night’s assembly meeting.
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The pledge will now be offered out to local businesses and residents to sign.
“We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant borough and condemn racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally,” said Cllr Sade Bright, cabinet member for equalities and cohesion.
“We will not allow hate to ruin lives or to become acceptable.
“I would like to reassure all our residents and people working or visiting our borough that they are valued members of our community.
“We will publically condemn any such attacks and make it clear the steps we will take to tackle such behaviour.”
