Cllr Chris Philp: 'Nasty' Lib Dems should apologise to Camden's Jewish residents over 'Nazi' slur
EXCLUSIVE by RICHARD OSLEY
CONSERVATIVE councillor Chris Philp this afternoon (Tuesday) called on the Liberal Democrats to apologise to Camden's Jewish residents after one of their councillors said he reminded them of a 'Nazi stormtrooper from Schindler's List'.
Although he had initially accepted a personal apology from Liberal Democrat Councillor Nick Russell for the comments made during last night's (Monday's) full council meeting, Chris Philp said his words did not go far enough for the wider offence that may have been caused.
The comment was made during a health debate. The New Journal was the only newspaper in the council chamber, for report: CLICK HERE.
Today, Cllr Russell, who represents Kentish Town, said: "I regret I made an unacceptable error of judgement in the heat of the moment and the hothouse of the chamber. I immediately withdrew the offending remark and apologised unreservedly to Chris. I am grateful that he generously accepted that apology."
But Cllr Philp said: "I am very disappointed that he has chosen not to apologise to the borough's Jewish community for this crass and insensitive remark. This is typical of the kind of nasty, negative and personal attacks that the Lib Dems often use near elections in a desperate attempt to garner votes. I'm sure this kind of tactic won't work here in Camden."
And Conservative party member Nic Careem, one of Cllr Russell's constituents, said in a letter to the New Journal: "We are fast approaching Holocaust Memorial Day a day to remember all the victims of the Holocaust, genocides and hate crimes so I was saddened to learn of Lib Dem councillor Nick Russell's appalling outburst against the Hampstead & Kilburn parliamentary candidate Chris Philp at a recent councill meeting on health. His remark that Chris Philp reminded him of a Nazi stormtrooper is deeply offensive. Specially as Chris has been working closely with myself and my dear friend Eva Schloss Auschwitz survivor and step-sister of Anne Frank on our mission to unite all decent people to stand up against extreme hate, prejudice and discrimination."
Mr Careem, director of the Holocaust survivors play And Then They Came For Me, added: "The Nazis were responsible for the biggest act of inhumanity in history and for Councillor Russell to imply that councillor Philps looked like a Nazi, even if it was meant as a joke, was not funny and deeply offensive, not only to Chris, but to all those who suffered at the hands of the most evil regime in history. Such comments or tactics have no place in politics, and Councillor Russell's comments makes him in my opinion unsuitable for political life."