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!
If this is what Green party members discuss, the Police need to act.
Why no reference or comment in the actual article to the ongoing massacre of Palestinians by the Israeli’s during an alleged ceasefire, and the Israeli settlers (terrorists) stealing land, (making the world’s refugee problem even worse so for any right wing Farage supporters on here, that should at least cause some concern)
Isn’t it strange how two groups of people can look at the same situation and come up with very different ideas? I am not criticising your point of view nor am I in anyway condoning the atrocities or massacres that have been carried out by both sides.
One could argue the land has been stolen by one group or another for centuries.
And if my memory serves me correctly was it not the Palestinians that broke the ceasefire in 2023?
No criticism or judgement from me here on your post – just interesting peoples take on the horrific crisis that seems to have no “out”
thank you what do I know for your comment, if I may respond to your mention that Palestinians broke a ceasefire in 2023.
During that ceasefire in 2023 alone, pre Oct 7th Israel killed 243 Palestinians, including 40 kids, so like today’s cease it was totally one sided.
Of the 1200 who were killed on Oct7th many were killed by Israeli troops under orders of the Hannibal directive, they used over 1800 heavy munitions shot at vehicles containing Palestinians and potential hostages, the IDF fired at a Kibitz killing all but 1 Israeli who has publicly spoken about the Israeli’s killing their own citizens whose numbers are included in the 1200 death toll.
Please remember that the Palestinians were living under occupation as confirmed by the UN, which according to international law entitles them to armed resistance, the Israeli government runs an Apartheid regime, just like South Africa did before the world collectively stood against them.
In 2013 an Israeli officer shot a 13 year old girl carrying her satchel on the way to school, as she lay dying he emptied 29 bullets into her, the court found him not guilty of murder, he went on to say he would even happily kill a three year old.
I would fight against an oppressor who stole my freedoms, my land, killed my kids, and kept me impoverished, and I am sure you would to, so why shouldn’t a Palestinian?
How nice to have an intelligent back and forth rather than the usual abusive rhetoric you see all too often.
Of course I am not disputing any of the above nor that horrific acts have been carried out by both sides.
With regards to the armed resistance – just because it is written does not means it needs to be adhered to? Americans have the right to bear arms….should they?
Again no sides being taken here but the Israeli Jews were displaced from that region hundreds and hundreds of years ago. The Arab nations have been tearing themselves apart for generations. Hamas were voted in 20 years ago over the ruling Fatah party because of corruption and failed peace negotiations; the Fatah party actually recognised the State of Israel The Czechs armed the Arabs, the Americans arm the Israelis, the Iranians arm the Arabs.
Since 1947 both Jewish and Israeli leaders have accepted compromises for land share?
As is all too often the case it is the extremist factions on BOTH sides that means the conflict will most certainly run on and on.
She should stand down and resign immediately this is totally unacceptable from a councillor.
It’s a bloke apparently
Ok, so not my kind of person in anyway, shape or form, but he hasn’t said anything too disgraceful and I still think we have freedom of speech, don’t we?
Also, how do these PRIVATE chats get out? I’d be more interested in that angle…
Oops.. apologies. Thought it was a boy!!
“She” appears to be a “He” in google search, whatever their denomination they are an odious toad who have by some twist of faith risen. Wootton Council should hang their heads in shame, just get rid as they should have done previously, gutless!
Dirty low life needs to be sacked
Sofus’ focus should be on helping the homeless, not this hocus pocus. What a bogus hopeless diplodocus.
Mike, probably what enrage councillor was the fact that rather than supporting our homeless the Government, both Tory and Labour have been helping Israel in this genocide, not only has that killed Palestinians which so many IOW people on here care little about, but also ex British white soldiers who were aid volunteers, Israel double tapped their vehicles and it’s believed that the RAF gave the Israeli’s the positions, the Uk is also believed to have recognisance from our aircraft but have refused to hand it over.
doesn’t that annoy you? Do you feel that the UK should fight for peace, not Israel
Not anywhere near as simple as you put it. If you actually delve into this region’s past you will find it is not as cut and dried as many believe. The area has been tearing itself apart for centuries!
There is no real one right side in this conflict. They have both caused untold suffering for generations – even the Palestinian regime fights within itself! Condemning the UK alone, when in fact we were one of the few countries to abstain from the 1947 UN Partition Plan, is a little unfair to say the least.
Neither side is fighting for “peace”…they are fighting for land!
Which pronoun do we use to describe this green councillor who makes statements that are not worthy of a councillor, but they are from the green party so therefore are excused from any common sense.
Putting aside the broader and more meaningful issue of the ongoing fight between theocratic Islam and theocratic Judaism, of which there is a lot of tu quoque. I knew this girl (she is trans), and she is a lying, manipulative, mentally unstable, obsessive monster!! She harassed a pregnant woman on line, made false allegations of sexual abuse to the police against her Ex simply because he left her after the mental and physical abuse (she tried to stab him with a knife) she put him through.