Liberal Democrats suspend council campaign after candidate found to have shared antisemitic video

As it is too late to change the ballot paper, the party made it clear that “Mr Miah will still appear on the ballot paper as the Liberal Democrat candidate, however, if he is elected he will sit as an independent councillor unless his membership is reinstated.”

Mr Miah, who had previously belonged to George Galloway’s “Respect” party in Tower Hamlets, as well as campaigning  for the local “Tower Hamlets First” party in the 2014 local elections and Labour during the 2016 London Mayoral election, released a statement on Tuesday saying he “would like to sincerely apologise for sharing the content.

“The video in no way represents my views or those of the Liberal Democrats. I have worked closely with members of Tower Hamlets’ Jewish community, built trust and understanding and learned about the discrimination which they continue to face. I am very upset that my earlier error might damage that trust and would like to assure the community that I stand with them in solidarity against antisemitism and discrimination of all forms."

The by-election for the Shadwell council seat takes place today (Thursday) with seven different candidates standing. The election results are likely to be announced on Thursday evening.