The mayor of Bath has resigned after sharing false social media posts describing the burning of a Jewish charity’s ambulances as an “Israeli false flag operation”.
Dr Bharat Pankhania has also resigned from the Liberal Democrat group on Bath and North East Somerset (Banes) council, though he had already been suspended.
A spokesperson from the Banes Liberal Democrat council group confirmed that Pankhania’s resignation had been accepted.
The council confirmed it is investigating complaints about Pankhania, saying: “All councillors are expected to follow a code of conduct.”
Pankhania remains a Banes councillor, although now sits as an independent.
They added he had “again apologised for his interactions on X, and reiterated that he has spent his life working with all communities, whilst acknowledging the hurt he had caused”.
The four ambulances were run by community organisation Hatzola – the Hebrew word for save or rescue – and were torched in Golders Green in north London on 23 March.
The incident is now being investigated by counter-terror police, with two men currently on bail after being arrested in connection with the offences.
Pankhania shared X posts describing the arson attacks as an Israeli false flag operation, and two further posts claiming the incident was an insurance fraud.
He later issued an apology, saying the posts “have never aligned” with his values and beliefs.
“I am incredibly apologetic that I have not lived up to the standards I set myself,” he said.
“I have of course deleted them and I wish to apologise unreservedly,” he added.
The Banes Liberal Democrat group said on Monday night that by resigning, Pankhania was taking “clear personal responsibility for his actions”.
It added: “As a group and as a party, we reject discrimination wherever it occurs and reiterate our stance against antisemitism.”
