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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. |
Unison previously said Mr Ploughman was no longer a member, but the trade union has since admitted it made an error. | |
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. |
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