The deputy leader of the Green Party, Mothin Ali, has called for an apology from Prime Minister Keir Starmer after false claims about his attendance at an anti-war protest led to death threats. Ali said he was 'so scared' that the racist threats had escalated to a point where 'it feels like this time it might get me killed'.
Ali, a local councillor, attended an anti-war demonstration in Parliament Square on Saturday that was mischaracterised by organisations such as GB News as a rally in support of the Iranian regime. The protest was organised by the Campaign Against Sanctions, Military and Imperial Interventions, with support from Stop the War Coalition and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, and was directed against US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
In the House of Commons on Monday, Starmer said: 'I think we were all shocked by the actions of the deputy leader of the Green party – although perhaps not surprised, given that party’s recent turn of direction.' The remarks came after Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke accused Ali of protesting in support of the ayatollah and linked him, without evidence, to antisemitism.
Threatening messages sent to Ali and seen by the Guardian included 'we know where to find you' and 'pack your bags before it’s too late'. Ali, who said he got involved in politics because of anti-war activism, stated: 'I was there to call out the illegal attacks and to raise my voice against Britain getting involved.'
Green MP Ellie Chowns defended Ali in parliament, accusing Shelbrooke of attacking his reputation. The organiser, Prof Abbas Edalat, said the rally was against the 'illegal, unprovoked attack on Iran' and not pro-regime. Ali believes Starmer's comment was an attempt to discredit the Greens after their by-election victory in Gorton and Denton last week.
