Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Green Party Probes Candidates After 'Coconut' Slur and Antisemitism Allegations

Calls for suspensions grow, with the closed nominations window limiting swift discipline.

Overview

  • Party leaders said they are investigating several candidates and asking them to delete posts after reports flagged racist language, defenses of Hamas, and Holocaust-distorting content.
  • Hau-Yu Tam, a senior Lewisham Green councillor, called Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy a 'coconut' in a deleted X post, prompting Labour figures to urge leader Zack Polanski to suspend her.
  • A Jewish News investigation reported that Camden candidate Aziz Hakimi shared posts blaming 9/11 on 'Zionists', pushing a 'false flag' claim about an arson attack in Golders Green, and circulating a video alleging the Old Testament orders Jews to kill children; the party says it condemns Hamas and is speaking to candidates.
  • Further scrutiny has focused on Islington candidate Jo Dowbor, who questioned UK sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and was pictured in a T‑shirt reading 'The Malvinas belong to Argentina'.
  • The Greens say the nominations deadline has passed, which limits removing candidates before local elections as the party races to improve vetting during a fast‑growing campaign.