Barnet Tories refuse to condemn party role for former neo-Nazi

Opposition leader Peter Zinkin said there were “genuine differences of opinion on this issue” reports David Floyd

Hendon Town Hall with (inset left) council leader Barry Rawlings and (inset right) opposition group leader Peter Zinkin — Hendon Town Hall with (inset left) Labour council leader Barry Rawlings and (inset right) Conservative leader Peter Zinkin

Barnet Conservatives have rejected calls from Barnet Labour to “remonstrate” with their party’s leader over her support for a former neo-Nazi.

In an open letter sent to opposition leader Peter Zinkin on Wednesday night, council leader Barry Rawlings criticised Kemi Badenoch’s decision this week to defend the selection of Joshua Bonehill-Paine as a council candidate in Somerset, before offering him an advisory role when he subsequently decided to step down.

Cllr Rawlings then called on Cllr Zinkin to “urge” Badenoch to drop Bonehill-Paine as an adviser and show his disapproval at her expression of sadness that he was no longer a candidate.

Antisemitic rally in Golders Green

Bonehill-Paine already had a lengthy track-record of far-right activity when he was arrested in June 2015 for inciting racial hatred against Jews. Having been found guilty in December that year, he was jailed for three years and four months.

The Jewish Chronicle reported that the offences he was jailed for included plans to destroy Israeli flags and burn the Talmud at a rally in Golders Green. The event was promoted with imagery mocking the Holocaust.

In 2016, he was sentenced to an additional two years in jail for a campaign of online antisemitic abuse against Jewish Labour MP Luciana Berger.

He described Berger, who is now a member of the House of Lords, as “evil”, a “money-grabber” and as being responsible for the death of Jesus. He labelled his online campaign against the MP “Operation Filthy Jew Bitch”.

Protracted campaign of vitriol

Speaking following Bonehill-Paine’s conviction in 2016, Berger said: “The protracted campaign of vitriol and hate had a deep impact on me and my family.”

While in prison, Bonehill-Paine completed the Home Office-accredited ‘Healthy Identity Intervention Programme’ and passed the government’s Prevent deradicalisation program. He has since been involved in counter-extremism activity.

Reacting to the news he had been selected as a council candidate, Berger told the BBC: “There is a big difference between going back into society and teaching others possibly about what you did and why it was wrong, to making the leap to standing for public office.”

She added: “I think there’s a massive distinction there.”

Writing on X following his appointment as an adviser, the Labour peer said: “The decision to welcome this individual as an adviser to the Leader of the Opposition is no better than allowing him to stand as a council candidate.”

She added: “It is a privileged and influential national role. As a victim of this man’s heinous crimes this appointment is an insult.”

Critical to take a stand

In his open letter, Cllr Rawlings asked Cllr Zinkin: “Will you publicly urge Kemi Badenoch to ensure that Mr Bonehill-Paine is stood down from any official role within the Conservative Party immediately.”

“Will you also remonstrate with her for saying that it is ‘sad’ that he is no longer a candidate, that you would not want him as a candidate in Barnet or anywhere in the UK and that he should not have been selected in the first place.”

He added: “We live in a time of surging extremism on right and left, and it is critical that those of us who believe in a tolerant liberal society take a stand. I urge you to do so now.”

In his response published yesterday, Cllr Zinkin declined to condemn his party Westminster leader.

Genuine differences of opinion

Cllr Zinkin said “As a member of the Jewish community and a Councillor for Golders Green, I understand the concerns that many have expressed.”

Describing the reaction of the Jewish community, he said: “Whilst many have been upset by the decision, others understand the principle articulated by Kemi Badenoch that individuals who have genuinely changed and demonstrated remorse should not necessarily be denied any opportunity for rehabilitation. There are genuine differences of opinion on this issue, and it would be wrong to suggest otherwise.”

He added: “As a councillor representing a ward with a significant Jewish population, and having dealt with very recent major incidents of antisemitism and intimidation affecting local residents, I do not take these matters lightly. The pain caused by antisemitism is real, and those responsible must be held accountable for their actions.”

Reflecting on Bonehill-Paine’s role in tackling antisemitism after leaving prison, he said: “Such examples are uncommon. Far too often, those who have propagated antisemitic views neither apologise nor seek to make amends. Where genuine contrition is shown, and where efforts are made to educate others about the dangers of hatred, that should be acknowledged.”

He then contrasted Badenoch’s approach to that of the Labour Party adding: “More broadly, I believe it is important to judge political leaders by their record. Kemi Badenoch has consistently been a friend of the Jewish community in Barnet and across the United Kingdom. She has spoken out against antisemitism, supported Jewish communities during difficult times and Golders Green in particular.

“She has shown moral clarity in confronting extremism. Her record stands in stark contrast to the rotten culture that was permitted to fester within the Labour Party for many years and which severely damaged trust between Labour and Britain’s Jewish community.”

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