A Brighton Labour councillor has quit the party after becoming the third member of the group to be investigated for alleged antisemitism.
Councillor Kate Knight announced on Monday she had quit after being reported for posts made on Facebook.
Last week councillor Anne Pissaridou was suspended for allegedly antisemitic Facebook posts.
Another Labour councillor, Nichole Brennan, is also being investigated for demonstrating against the party’s adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism in 2018.
All three were selected for last year’s local elections on the pro-Jeremy Corbyn Momentum group’s slate.
Councillor Knight’s exit leaves the both the local Labour and Green groups with 19 councillors each.
The JC has been sent evidence of Cllr Knight’s social media postings including the claim that “allegations of antisemitism are a last resort when facts about the treatment of the Palestinians cannot be disputed or justified.”
She also shared for an article claiming Israel was “running a campaign against Jeremy Corbyn”.
Announcing her decision to stand down she said: “I abhor antisemitism which, along with all other forms of racism, is a scourge that blights our society and every political party. I am not antisemitic and I regret if anything I posted caused distress, as this was not my intention.
“I do not want this matter to distract from the vital work that the council needs to do, as we all continue to come to terms with the effects and future consequences of Covid-19. So, after deep reflection and with much regret, I have resigned my membership of the Labour Party with immediate effect and I have advised Cllr Nancy Platts of this.”
Council Leader Nancy Platts said on Monday: “On behalf of the Labour Group, I am truly sorry to the Jewish community for the hurt these posts have caused.
“Councillor Knight has taken the right action in resigning from the Labour Group and the Labour Party.
“We will continue to take steps to address antisemitism, and actively challenge racism in our city.”
In April, Cllr Brennan had described criticism of her conduct on antisemitism as “white supremacy”. She has not been suspended.
