Naz Shah
has resigned as parliamentary private secretary to John McDonnell, after the
political website Guido Fawkes revealed that, prior to becoming an MP, she
argued that Israelis should be relocated to the United States.
Shah, who
defeated George Galloway to retake the seat of Bradford West after it was lost
in a by-election, had been tipped for a bright future, but the revelations have
cost her her job and could yet lead to the end of her career as a Labour MP.
Shah
released the following statement on Monday afternoon: “I deeply regret the
hurt I have caused by comments made on social media before I was elected as an
MP. I made these posts at the height of the Gaza conflict in 2014, when
emotions were running high around the Middle East conflict. But that is no
excuse for the offence I have given, for which I unreservedly apologise.
“In recognition of that offence I
have stepped down from my role as PPS to the Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell.
I will be seeking to expand my existing engagement and dialogue with Jewish
community organisations, and will be stepping up my efforts to combat all forms
of racism, including antisemitism.”
