Lambeth Green Candidate Issues Apology for Anti-Semitic Social Media Content
Saiqa Ali, a candidate for the Lambeth Green Party in the upcoming local elections, has publicly apologized for sharing social media posts that repeated harmful tropes about Jewish people. The controversy has sparked calls from the Lambeth Labour Group for her removal from the ballot, along with that of another Green Party candidate accused of similar offenses.
Apology and Accusations of Anti-Semitic Content
Ms. Ali, who is standing in the Streatham St Leonard's ward, expressed regret "for any offence or distress caused to anyone by my social media posts," emphasizing that it was not her intention. However, she has been accused of sharing posts that include offensive comments about the Holocaust and claims that Donald Trump is "owned by Jews." In a statement on Friday, April 17, she said, "I unequivocally reject anti-Semitism in all its forms," adding that her comments were rooted in concern for humanitarian issues in the Middle East.
Details of the Controversial Posts
The social media posts were first reported by The Spectator on April 15. Among the allegations, Ms. Ali allegedly posted on August 26, 2025, stating, "England has a government overrepresented with Zionists Jews," and referred to Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a "Jewish Zionist." Another post from July 21, 2024, showed an image of a snake with the Israeli flag wrapped around the world, captioned, "It's time to cut the head of this snake. #FreePalestine." Following the report, her Instagram account was set to private, and a Facebook post from January 4 suggesting 9/11 was a "false flag attack" is no longer visible.
Political Reactions and Calls for Action
In response, Cllr Donna Harris, Leader of the Lambeth Lib Dems, contacted Green Party leaders, expressing concerns about public confidence in local democracy. She highlighted issues with candidate vetting processes, asking whether comprehensive social media checks are consistently enforced. Separately, the Lambeth Labour Group sent a letter demanding the removal of Ms. Ali's candidacy, criticizing the Green Party's lack of action as condoning her views or indifference.
Second Candidate Under Scrutiny
Sabine Mairey, another Lambeth Green Party candidate for Clapham Town, has been accused of sharing a Facebook post on March 14, 2026, that stated, "Ramming a synagogue isn't anti-Semitism. It's revenge." The post, originally an Instagram link, is no longer visible. Cllr Claire Holland, Leader of the Lambeth Labour Group, wrote to Green Party leaders on April 20, calling for the removal of both Ms. Ali and Ms. Mairey, stating that their views spread anxiety and fear in the community.
Green Party Response and Ongoing Investigation
A Green Party spokesperson stated that the views do not represent the party and that they are looking into the matter. The Lambeth Green Party declined to comment, and the Local Democracy Reporting Service has approached Ms. Mairey for a response. The controversy raises broader questions about extremism and the responsibilities of political parties in vetting candidates to ensure they meet high standards of conduct.
