A Liberal Democrat politician standing to be the party’s candidate for Mayor of London has been suspended following accusations of antisemitic abuse.

Geeta Sidhu-Robb, a businesswoman and former People’s Vote campaigner, said she was “deeply sorry” for the “hurt and offence” she had caused.

A London Liberal Democrat spokesperson confirmed she has now been cut from a members’ ballot to select a mayoral candidate.

Yesterday (Sunday, September 13), Politics Home reported that Ms Sidhu-Robb urged Muslim voters not to back Labour candidate Jack Straw in the 1997 General Election because he was Jewish.

She was then the Conservative candidate challenging Mr Straw – who went on to be both Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary – for his Blackburn seat.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Geeta Sidhu-Robb urged Muslim voters not to back Jewish Labour candidate Jack Straw during the 1997 General Election (Photo: David Boothroyd / YouTube).Geeta Sidhu-Robb urged Muslim voters not to back Jewish Labour candidate Jack Straw during the 1997 General Election (Photo: David Boothroyd / YouTube).

In a video produced during the campaign, Ms Sidhu-Robb claimed Labour campaigners were branding her “anti-Islam” and vowed to retaliate.

It shows her using a megaphone from a car to speak in Urdu, with subtitles translating her words as: “Don’t vote for a Jew, Jack Straw is a Jew.

“If you vote for him, you’re voting for a Jew. Jews are the enemies of Muslims.”

Her claims about Labour’s campaign have not been substantiated, and following yesterday’s revelation she admitted this was “in no way an excuse” and she “instantly regretted” her behaviour.

Responding to the video in a series of Tweets, the now-Liberal Democrat said: “I apologise profusely for my actions in the 1997 General Election campaign. My behaviour caused offence and hurt and I am deeply sorry.

“There is no room for any form of racism or antisemitism in society and as such I very much regret my conduct at that time.”

Ms Sidhu-Robb’s suspension makes it highly likely that Camden councillor and former MEP Luisa Porritt will become the Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate.

Ms Porritt will now be the only name on the members’ ballot, with a further option to reopen nominations. The result will be announced on Tuesday October 13.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Former MEP Luisa Porritt now looks set to become the new Lib Dem candidate (Photo: London Liberal Democrats).Former MEP Luisa Porritt now looks set to become the new Lib Dem candidate (Photo: London Liberal Democrats).

The London mayoral election was due to be held in May this year with Siobhan Benita representing the Liberal Democrats – but the vote was delayed in March for 12 months because of coronavirus.

Ms Benita withdrew from the race in July, citing the cost of campaigning unpaid for another year.

But following Ms Sidhu-Robb’s suspension, the former mayoral hopeful revealed that costs were not the only factor in her decision.

“I wasn’t planning to make this  public but I really don’t want to be associated with current events in the London campaign,” she said on Twitter. “I resigned from the Lib Dems last month.”

“I wish the party – and it has many amazing people – only the best. But my deciding to stand down wasn’t based on finances alone.

“There are serious issues that need fixing in the London region and I couldn’t run the campaign I wanted to.”

A spokesperson for the London Liberal Democrats said: “Geeta Sidhu-Robb has been suspended from the Liberal Democrats and will not be on the ballot paper to be the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London.

“There is an investigation underway in accordance with due process.”

The party declined to comment on Ms Benita’s claims.