UK: Local election candidate suspended for Jewish slur

ANKARA

 A Conservative local election candidate, who said she could not support opposition leader Ed Miliband because he was a “Jew,” has been suspended by her party Monday, local media reported.

In a Facebook post, apparently written over the weekend and captured in a screenshot by the BBC, Gulzabeen Afsar said: “Just can’t take Mr Ed Miliband Seriously!! DC (David Cameron) has what it takes to be the future PM.”

Commenting below her status update, the Derby council candidate said: “never ever will I drop that low and support the Al Yahud!” Al Yahud is the Arabic term for Jew.

“This comment was offensive and wrong. There is no place in our party for these comments or attitudes and Ms. Afsal has had her party membership suspended pending a full disciplinary hearing,” a Conservative Party statement said.

In a letter to the Conservative party, Labour leader of Derby City Council, Ranjit Banwait said: "This is not about politics, but about setting standards which are acceptable.”

"It goes without saying that the conduct she has displayed is dismally below that which we expect from councillors within our political groups."

Afsar has since apologized and removed the Facebook post. Ed Milliband has described himself as a Jewish atheist.

Though suspended, she will still appear on the ballot paper on May 7 as a Conservative candidate for the Derby city council.