Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has accused the leader of Liverpool’s Liberal Democrats of a “real lack of backbone” after confirming two members of the group would not be suspended over comparisons made to Auschwitz about Sandhills train station.
Cllr Carl Cashman confirmed he would not remove the whip from former Lord Mayor Richard Kemp after he said the queuing system at the station was “like the greeting area” for the concentration camp. Cllr Cashman said he would also not sanction Cllr Pat Moloney, who said the area was “like something out of a horrific death camp in Nazi Germany”.
No whip removed despite calls for action
While Cllr Moloney said he apologised if he had offended anyone, Cllr Kemp declined to do so. Mr Rotheram, who in a joint letter with Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council, asked Sir Ed Davey to take action, said a “meaningful apology” or “genuine contrition” would have been acceptable. He said the comments had “trivialised the murder and suffering of millions of people.”
Responding to his members’ remarks earlier today, Cllr Cashman confirmed to the ECHO he would not remove the whip, adding: “There’s very strong language that’s been used and I probably wouldn’t have used it myself but I understand where the emotion has come from.” The Church ward member said it was the Metro Mayor who had questions to answer, rather than his colleagues.
Rotheram: 'Total failure to condemn'
Mr Rotheram said: “The Liberal Democrats are perfectly entitled to disagree with me on transport policy – that is part of the rough and tumble of politics. But all of us who hold elected office have a responsibility to conduct those disagreements with respect and decency, and to understand the weight our words can carry.
“What I find particularly disappointing is Cllr Cashman’s total failure to unequivocally condemn the deeply offensive comments made by members of his own group. Failing to call out such egregious comments demonstrates a real lack of backbone.
“I think the public would probably have accepted a meaningful apology – or even some genuine contrition that they got their words badly wrong or allowed the situation to get the better of them. Cllr Moloney has at least offered a partial apology, while Cllr Kemp has refused to apologise at all.
“But Cllr Cashman is the leader of the Liberal Democrat group in Liverpool. He was given the opportunity to apologise for the hurt caused and make clear that this kind of language has no place in our politics.
“Instead, he has chosen to double down and defend his colleagues. It should not need to be said, but comparisons with Auschwitz have no place in a debate about a planning application.
“Invoking the Holocaust in that way trivialises the murder and suffering of millions of people.”
Jewish leaders condemn language
Liverpool’s Jewish community leaders have condemned the language used by the city councillors and called on both men to apologise. Mr Rotheram said the Jewish populace have “been an important part of the fabric of our city for generations”. He added: “I can only imagine how hurtful it must be to hear elected representatives throwing around comparisons like these – and then see a local leader choose to defend the indefensible.
“We’re all grown-ups. We can disagree strongly and have the odd political row. But leadership also means having the courage to call people out when they get it wrong and taking responsibility for the standards you are prepared to tolerate.
“Whatever our political differences, there should be some lines that all of us are prepared to defend together.” The ECHO has contacted the Liberal Democrats head office for comment.
