"Bruce MacInnes was told by Tory party officials that his repeated allegation that Israel is committing genocide in Palestine constituted allegedly antisemitic, discriminatory and insensitive and highly offensive language, which resulted in his suspension from the party last year. MacInnes, who says he did not initially know about the disciplinary proceedings despite the party claiming they had emailed him, is bringing legal action against the party for 30,000 in the high court for breach of contract and discrimination based on belief."
"A member since 2018, MacInnes had often shared his views on the political situation in the Middle East on a WhatsApp group with other members. He felt qualified to do so, given his family's longstanding links with the region. Two of MacInnes's ancestors were Anglican bishops in Jerusalem and his grandfather, Campbell MacInnes, was archbishop for 13 years until 1969. MacInnes's father, David, was born in Jerusalem, and MacInnes considers the region part of my own history."
"But shortly before leadership contest between Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick in October 2024, he found his party membership was no longer active. Upon enquiring after the ballot slip that would allow him to vote in the leadership contest, which he was yet to receive, MacInnes discovered he hadbeen suspended six months prior for antisemitism. The party's governance team had decided, without his knowledge, that MacInnes had expressed views on Israel's war in Gaza that were allegedly antisemitic."
A former Conservative member was suspended after Tory officials judged his repeated allegation that Israel is committing genocide in Palestine to be antisemitic and highly offensive. The member says he did not initially know about the disciplinary proceedings and is suing the party in the high court for 30,000 for breach of contract and discrimination based on belief. The suspension occurred without his knowledge and was discovered when he failed to receive a ballot slip for a leadership contest. The member cites family links to Jerusalem and regular commentary on Middle East politics in party WhatsApp groups. The case has prompted criticism and questions about free speech within the party.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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