Labour member whose photo appeared on leaflets suspended in anti-Semitism storm

Labour has suspended a member who appeared on election leaflets over a series on anti-Semitic social media posts.

Kierin Offlands was given a formal warning last year after he shared a social media post comparing Israel to Nazi Germany.

But the party has removed the flyer from circulation after further slurs came to light.

While a youth officer for Southport Labour Party he also called Israeli Defence Force soldiers “storm troopers” and “ZioNazis”.

Further anti-Semitic slurs from 2015, which have now been deleted, included him comparing Zionism to Nazism.

He had recently appeared on campaign leaflets (@KierinOfflands/Twitter)

He also said: “Remembering I need to hate Israeli Jews and people who think the State of Israel was/is a good idea.”

Mr Offlands, who appeared on a campaign leaflet with the caption: “Real Change for Young Workers” has now been suspended pending an investigation, reports The Sun.

A Labour spokesperson said: “This leaflet was produced by Labour Unions. Labour Unions use a wide range of images of members and supporters campaigning, and this is not intended as promotion of any individual in the photographs.

"This photograph has been removed from all online materials and no further print runs of the leaflet were ordered.”

''ANTISEMITIC ABUSE HAS NO PLACE IN OUR PARTY OR MOVEMENT''

Responding to questions about anti-semitism within the Labour party during the leaders debate on ITV this week, Mr Corbyn said: “Racism in any form is a scourge in our society.

“I have taken action in my party where anyone who has committed any anti-Semitic acts or made any anti-Semitic statements, they either suspended or expelled from the party and investigated every single case.

“We do take this very, very seriously indeed.”