Wootton Bridge Parish Council has distanced itself from controversial remarks made by Councillor Sophus Magill – and is now seeking advice on what action to take.
The Parish Council has broken its silence after Parish Councillor Sophus Magill became the focus of national reports concerning messages about Israel, Zionism and British Jews in a private WhatsApp group involving Green Party members.
As previously reported by Island Echo, Cllr Magill allegedly created the private group, called Greens Against Imperialism, in which one participant discussed whether being an ‘extreme anti-zionist’ could mean supporting ‘killing Zionists’, but described such a position as “wrong”.
Another participant described British Jews as a ‘weapon of Israel’. Neither of those comments was made by Cllr Magill.
Messages revealed by The Times included Cllr Magill saying that ‘Zionism has to go’ and agreeing with another participant’s description of wanting Israel ‘wiped off the map’.
Cllr Magill went on to explain that he did not consider this to mean violence against Israelis, but referred to replacing what he described as an “illegitimate apartheid state” with “one equal state”, comparing the change he envisaged to the end of Rhodesia. He added that Israeli citizens who were not war criminals and agreed to coexist peacefully with Palestinians had a right to live there.
Cllr Magill was co-opted onto Wootton Bridge Parish Council in January and unsuccessfully stood for the Green Party in the Fairlee and Whippingham ward at the Isle of Wight Council elections in May.
Following the revelations, a spokesperson for Wootton Bridge Parish Council has told Island Echo:
“Wootton Bridge Parish Council is aware of recent reports concerning comments made by Cllr Sophus Magill.
“We would like to make clear that the comments attributed to Cllr Magill were made in a personal capacity and do not represent the views or position of Wootton Bridge Parish Council or its other Parish Councillors.
“The Parish Council is concerned by the nature and language of the remarks and do not consider them reflective of the respectful and inclusive approach we expect in public life and from those representing our community.
“We recognise that residents may have concerns following these reports. The Parish Council has contacted the Isle of Wight Council’s Monitoring Officer regarding the matter and will take appropriate advice on any steps that fall within the Parish Council’s remit.”
The statement marks the first response from Wootton Bridge Parish Council since the controversy emerged.
The Green Party previously told The Times that it does not comment on internal party forums or discussions on WhatsApp groups that are not official party group channels.
Kick her out!