A senior Labour councillor has been dramatically suspended by the party following allegations of making deeply inflammatory comments praising the Hamas attack on Israel.
Graham Campbell, who serves as Glasgow's City Treasurer, is facing a full investigation after a recorded conversation emerged where he allegedly described the deadly October 7th assault as a 'great day' and made what Jewish community leaders have called 'vile' and 'abhorrent' remarks.
The Alleged Comments That Sparked Outrage
In the leaked audio, obtained by the Scottish Daily Express, Campbell is heard discussing the Hamas militants who carried out the attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis. He reportedly stated, "They are not terrorists... they are resistance fighters."
He is further alleged to have chillingly added: "The only good thing that comes from occupying power soldiers being killed is that they are no longer there to occupy." These comments have sent shockwaves through the political establishment and drawn widespread condemnation.
Swift Action and Condemnation
The Labour Party moved quickly to distance itself from the councillor's views. A spokesperson confirmed: "The Labour Party takes all complaints extremely seriously. They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and appropriate action is taken."
Community Security Trust (CST), a charity protecting British Jews from anti-Semitism, strongly welcomed the suspension. A spokesperson for the CST labelled the comments "disgusting" and expressed relief that the party had acted decisively.
A Political Firestorm for Labour
This incident threatens to reopen old wounds for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who has worked tirelessly to root out anti-Semitism within the party following the Corbyn era. Having positioned himself as a staunch defender of Israel's right to self-defence, this scandal presents a significant challenge to his authority and the party's renewed discipline.
Campbell, who was also a former MSP candidate, has been a prominent figure in Glasgow politics. His suspension underscores the ongoing tensions within UK politics regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict and the fine line between criticism of Israel and outright anti-Semitism.
