Friday, February 24, 2006
Mayor suspended from office for 'nazi' jibe
As a result of comparing a Jewish reporter to a concentration camp guard, the Mayor of London has been suspended from office for four weeks.
The ban, which the Adjudication Panel for England handed out for bringing his office into disrepute, will begin on 1 March. Not one for admitting his mistakes or faults, it is thought the mayor will appeal.
Mr Livingstone claims "the decision strikes at the heart of democracy" and that "elected politicians should only be able to be removed by the voters or for breaking the law."
The Adjudication Panel commented that the ban was decided on because "Mr Livingstone had failed to realise the seriousness of his outburst" adding that, if Ken had apologised, the case would never have made it to court.
The mayor defended himself by saying he was expressing an opinion and never meant to cause offence. However, soon after the incident made it into the media it was apparent many in the Jewish community and beyond were deeply offended, giving Ken plenty of time to rescind his remarks. The London Jewish Forum welcomed the outcome of the case. Tory London Assembly Member Brian Coleman rightly claimed Mr Livingstone had let down Londoners.
Come on Ken, do the right thing - admit your behaviour was unacceptable and apologise. It is not appropriate to feel you can do whatever you like and get away with it simply because the next mayoral election is 2 years away.
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