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Election candidate Neil Ploughman sorry for 'anti-Semitic' posts Election candidate Neil Ploughman sorry for 'anti-Semitic' posts
(1 day later)
An election candidate who has been suspended from the Labour party over alleged anti-Semitism has apologised for "insensitive" social media posts.An election candidate who has been suspended from the Labour party over alleged anti-Semitism has apologised for "insensitive" social media posts.
The Times reported that Neil Ploughman, a candidate for Amber Valley District Council elections, said anti-Semitism was "anything Israel wants it to mean".The Times reported that Neil Ploughman, a candidate for Amber Valley District Council elections, said anti-Semitism was "anything Israel wants it to mean".
Labour said he had been suspended "pending a thorough investigation".Labour said he had been suspended "pending a thorough investigation".
In a statement Mr Ploughman apologised and said he has been "a lifelong campaigner against racism".In a statement Mr Ploughman apologised and said he has been "a lifelong campaigner against racism".
"It pains me that anybody should believe I was trying to deliberately minimise the pernicious and cancerous nature of anti-Semitism," he said."It pains me that anybody should believe I was trying to deliberately minimise the pernicious and cancerous nature of anti-Semitism," he said.
"I am devastated that I have managed to get this so wrong.""I am devastated that I have managed to get this so wrong."
Before the comments on social media were highlighted, Mr Ploughman was standing for Labour in Belper Central at the elections taking place on 2 May.Before the comments on social media were highlighted, Mr Ploughman was standing for Labour in Belper Central at the elections taking place on 2 May.
On an election leaflet he was also listed as the chairman of Unison's Derbyshire branch.On an election leaflet he was also listed as the chairman of Unison's Derbyshire branch.
While he has been suspended from the party, a Labour spokesman said that because the nomination period for candidates has closed he will remain on the ballot paper.While he has been suspended from the party, a Labour spokesman said that because the nomination period for candidates has closed he will remain on the ballot paper.
Trade union Unison said Mr Ploughman is no longer a member. Unison previously said Mr Ploughman was no longer a member, but the trade union has since admitted it made an error.
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