Oxford Labour councillor cleared over 'anti-Semitic' Facebook post

Ben Lloyd-Shogbesan has apologised for any offence caused

An Oxford councillor who shared a Facebook post comparing Israel to Nazi Germany did not break council rules, an investigation has found.

Ben Lloyd-Shogbesan resigned from the Labour Party in May after he also shared a post implying same-sex marriage was a "perversion".

He has apologised and denied holding anti-Semitic or homophobic views.

Other councillors have called on him to resign from the council and one branded the investigation "a whitewash".

After fierce criticism the Labour Party has adopted a definition of anti-Semitism that includes, as an example, comparing Israel to Nazi Germany.

Mr Lloyd-Shogbesan, who now sits as an independent member for the Lye Valley ward, referred himself to the authority's standard committee after the posts came to light.

A report has now said he "was not acting in a councillor capacity when posting on social media" and so had not broken the council's code of conduct.

Monitoring officer Anita Bradley, who wrote the report, recommended the council considers adopting a new policy for how councillors should use social media.

One of the shared posts compared Israel to Nazi Germany

Susan Brown, leader of the Labour group and the council, said: "This was disappointing behaviour for any councillor.

"However, it is clear Ben himself realises that his actions were not appropriate and indeed referred himself for the investigation."

Mr Lloyd-Shogbesan said: "I have never held anti-Semitic, homophobic or racist views and fully support the city council's position on equality, diversity and inclusion.

"This has been a humbling and educational experience and I remain fully committed to serving the community of Oxford to the very best of my ability."

A post making reference to same sex marriage suggested it was a "perversion"

Liberal Democrat group leader Andrew Gant said the posts were "abhorrent and unacceptable" and Mr Lloyd-Shogbesan should resign as a councillor.

Independent member Mick Haines also called for him to stand down, and said the report was "disgusting" and "a whitewash".

A national Labour Party's investigation into the matter has not yet concluded.