A mayor said he is “incredibly apologetic” after sharing social media posts that suggested an arson attack on four Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green was a fraud.
Dr Bharat Pankhania, who is the Liberal Democrat mayor of Bath, had shared a post on his personal X account about the attack on the four ambulances run by Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service.
The vehicles were set on fire during the incident in Golders Green, north-west London, earlier this week.
After facing criticism for the social media posts, Dr Pankhania deleted them and issued an apology on his account.
“I have been made aware that I have reposted or replied to some posts which have never aligned to my values and beliefs, and which are abhorrent,” Dr Pankhania, who is a councillor at Bath and North East Somerset Council, said in a social media post on X.
“I am incredibly apologetic that I have not lived up to the standards I set myself.
“I have of course deleted them, and I wish to apologise unreservedly.”
Gas canisters kept in the ambulances exploded after they were set alight, with nearby homes evacuated as a precaution.
Residents described being woken in the early hours by the noise, with the force of the explosions blowing out windows, including those of the nearby synagogue.
Two men – aged 47 and 45 and of British nationality – who were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life have been released on police bail.
They have been bailed until April while the investigation continues, the Metropolitan Police said.
The force said searches had been carried out at addresses in the Kilburn and Kings Cross areas of London, where the men had been arrested.
Further searches have also taken place at two other addresses in north-west London, the Met added.
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation, said: “Although the two men have been released from police custody, there are strict bail conditions in place while we continue to investigate their suspected involvement in this incident.
“I can reassure the public that we will be closely monitoring these while we carry out further inquiries.
“We continue to work to try and identify all of those involved in this appalling attack and the investigation team is working around the clock to do this.
“I’d like to thank the public and particularly the local Jewish community in the area for their continued support and reiterate our appeal to anyone who might have information that could assist with the investigation to get in touch with us.”
