A candidate for Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has been suspended by the party over alleged antisemitism.
Tahir Khan, a former Mayor of Luton for the Laour is understood to be barred from holding office or represent the party while the investigation is ongoing.
In a statement to Bedford Today, Mr Khan – who until May last year sat on the board of the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service – refuted the allegations made against him and said he had “submitted a comprehensive appeal against the temporary sanctions imposed on my membership of the Labour Party.”
He added: “I have fought racism in all its forms all my life. I am not a racist and certainly not antisemitic. “Until such time as my case is concluded I have no further comment.”
In a statement, the Labour party said it “takes all complaints of antisemitism extremely seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.”
