A Conservative Hertsmere councillor has been criticised after accusing an MP of antisemitism on live radio yesterday morning (February 27).
Councillor Brett Rosehill called in during James O’Brien’s 10am show on LBC during a conversation about Islamophobia in the Conservatve Party. Cllr Rosehill labelled Islamophobia as “awful” and said that Lee Anderson MP’s Islamophobic comments about Mayor of London Sadiq Khan were “wrong”. He then suggested that the conversation should focus instead on antisemitism.
About a minute after accusing cllr Rosehill of “phon[ing] in to object to the fact that we’re talking about Islamophobia” rather than antisemitism, O’Brien invited cllr Rosehill to name an MP who speaks about Jewish people “the way Lee Anderson and Suella Braverman speak about Muslims”. Cllr Rosehill named Dawn Butler, MP for Brent Central, in response.
Cllr Rosehill later wrote on Facebook that he felt “backed into a corner by James O’Brien”.
He continued: “I was wrong in my views of Dawn Butler and I would like to sincerely apologise to her.”
Later that day, Dawn Butler MP posted on social media site X that she had been “made aware of comments made this morning” and was seeking “legal advice”.
Meanwhile, Hertsmere Borough Council posted on X that cllr Rosehill “wasn’t speaking on behalf of our council or political administration”.
Cllr Rosehill has since told MyLocalNews: “First and foremost, I would like to apologise to all those troubled and affected by my comments on that show. The effects of the 7th October massacre and the resulting alarming levels of antisemitism in the UK, including the genocidal projection onto Big Ben, have affected me deeply. Jewish people in the UK are extremely fearful.
“I called into the LBC show, in my personal capacity, to speak out for our Jewish community and for those who fear that history is repeating itself. In reference to Dawn Butler MP, I was recalling the Board of Deputies’ condemnation that she did not sign up to the ‘10 steps on tackling antisemitism’ however I realise upon reflection that my comments to James O’Brien were misguided and I have expressed my sincerest apologies to Dawn.”
Photo Credits: LBC via Youtube and Hertsmere Conservatives
Wow this guy is unhinged. Shouldn’t be in a position of power with such extreme views and temperament. Shame on you Brett Rosehill
this is completely idiotic of this so called councillor