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Tory candidate blames Corbyn after being called ‘Israeli scum’ by Labour supporter
Mr Corbyn has “unleashed something very nasty and sinister”, says Brigg and Goole candidate Andrew Percy
May 15, 2017 08:56
Mr Corbyn has “unleashed something very nasty and sinister”, says Brigg and Goole candidate Andrew Percy
May 15, 2017 08:56A Jewish politician who was verbally abused on the campaign trail by a woman who called him “Israeli scum” has reported the incident to the police.
Andrew Percy, who is standing for re-election in the Brigg and Goole seat he has held for the Conservatives since 2010, said the woman had identified herself as a supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader.
Mr Percy accused Mr Corbyn of creating a “toxic environment” in politics.
The incident in the East Yorkshire constituency took place on Saturday.
Mr Percy told the JC: “I was with a young activist and the leader of the council. The woman started by insulting him. Then she looked at me and said ‘you’re that Israeli scum, you’re Zionist scum, you’re disgusting’. There was stuff about condoning the murder of children.
“She couldn’t have known that I have converted recently. I told her she was a disgrace and she sort of slapped me on the arm. She was jabbing her arm up and down.”
Mr Percy said he told the woman to be careful and made a sarcastic remark that she “probably didn’t want to touch a Jewish person”.
“Then she said, ‘oh, I will need a wash now’.”
After the clash the woman started chanting “Corbyn, Corbyn, Corbyn”, Mr Percy said.
He has reported the incident to police and is waiting to speak to officers today.
“You just don’t expect it,” he said. “We get no abuse in Brigg and Goole but it’s become more poisonous in the last few years in politics generally.”
Mr Percy said he had spent Sunday removing abusive comments including “f*** Israel, f*** Zionists”, that had been posted on his Facebook page, where he had written an account of the episode.
He had written: “Whether a Labour member or not it does show just what hate has been unleashed by the Corbynista set.”
Mr Corbyn had “unleashed something very nasty and sinister”, he added.
“I called her a disgusting racist and thanked her for what the Cobynistas were doing to make the Conservative Party so electable.
“As her two middle fingers faded into the distance I couldn’t really hear what else she had to say,” Mr Percy added.
“Consequently, I've decided it is better in the hands of the police and that way I won't have to deal with the nonsense and bile some posted in response on here.”
