The Leader of Hillingdon Reform, Cllr Sophie Dror, has been accused of “stoking hatred” after a comment posted on a social media group following a machete attack in Cowley on September 25. Cllr Dror has taken responsibility for the comment but rejected the accusation made by the Leader of Hillingdon Labour, Cllr Stuart Mathers.
Comment on Facebook post
Under a post about the attack, the account associated with Cllr Dror, named Reform Yiewsley Councillors, commented “import the 3rd world you get the 3rd world” in response to a group member saying “usual suspects”. The comment was deleted before the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) approached Cllr Dror, who says she did not delete it and cannot comment on why it was removed.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed to the LDRS that no information about the background of the suspects was published. Cllr Mathers condemned Cllr Dror for “speculating [on] the ethnicity” and said: “This is an awful crime in broad daylight. Our thoughts are firstly with the victim and his family. This is now a police matter and we expect those responsible to be brought to justice. We are appalled that the Reform councillors are speculating [on] the ethnicity on Facebook. The police have not revealed any details at this stage. Stoking hatred in our communities is not helpful in keeping our residents safe.”
Dror's response
Cllr Dror confirmed she made the 'speculative' comments on Facebook but rejects allegations of stoking hatred. She said: "I can confirm that the comment was made by myself. However, it was intended to be about a wider discussion about unsuitable immigration policies and mass migration. It was not intended to refer to, or make any assertion about, the ethnicity or nationality of the suspects involved in the Cowley incident. I appreciate that, given the timing and context, the comment could have easily been misconstrued in that way, but that was not its intention or meaning."
She added: "However, Cllr Mathers’ claim that my comments were 'stoking hatred' is a very serious accusation and one I reject. Political discussion about immigration and migration should not be misrepresented as an attempt to incite hatred or hostility. I did not personally delete the comment, so I cannot comment on why it was subsequently removed. More broadly, Reform UK has consistently expressed strong views on immigration and mass migration, and I stand by the importance of that wider political debate. That should not, however, be conflated with speculation about the identity or background of those involved in this particular incident. Our thoughts remain with the victim and his family, and we hope the police investigation establishes the full circumstances of what happened."
Incident details
Two teenagers were arrested following the machete attack in the park in Uxbridge. Emergency services were called to Cowley Recreation Ground, next to the high street, at around 2.40pm on Friday, September 25, following reports of an altercation. The suspects have subsequently been “released on bail, pending further enquiries”. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed any discussion around the nationality or ethnicity of the suspect is “speculation”.
