Tory councillor suspended by party after comparing Middle East conflict to the Holocaust

A Conservative councillor in Redcar and Cleveland has been suspended by the party pending an investigation after he compared the war in Gaza to the Holocaust 80 years ago.

Justin Thompson made the comment on Facebook in response to a recent post by the Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Luke Myer.

Captioning a photo of himself signing a ‘book of commitment’ ahead of the recent Holocaust Memorial Day, Mr Myer said: “It is more important than ever that we remember the victims and the terrible consequences of the Holocaust. We must pledge that it should never be repeated and stand firm against ideologies of hatred.”

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Cllr Thompson, who represents the Skelton East ward and was among a number of new members elected to Redcar and Cleveland Council in May 2023, replied: "Very much in support of the Memorial Day, but how can we pledge never to see another when the previous and current Government are supporting a 2024/25 holocaust in Gaza?”

Mr Myer responded, writing: “What is happening in the Middle East is horrific and I sincerely hope the ceasefire holds. Whatever people's views are about the conflict, it is in no way comparable to the calculated, premeditated, industrialised murder of six million Jews."

A spokesman for the Jewish Labour Movement told the Jewish Chronicle publication it was “deeply concerned” and suggested there should be “firm disciplinary action” taken against the councillor.

Cllr Thompson seemed unaware of his suspension when initially contacted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, but doubled down on his view, repeating the content in the Facebook post. He said he planned to issue a statement in relation to the matter.

Councillor Carolyn Curr, the Conservative group leader on the council, said the matter would be dealt with by a member governance team from Conservative central headquarters in London, but she could not comment further. A regional spokesman for the party said: “Mr Thompson has been informed by the chairman’s office that his membership has been suspended pending the completion of an investigation."

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