A Labour councillor of Birmingham has apologised for her historic anti-Semitic comments on social media.
In her Facebook messages, Shabina Bano had accused waste collector Veolia of being a 'Zionist supporter' and wished a child cancer survivor had died, Birmingham Live reported.
Apparently referring to Veolia, a 2014 message posted on her previous Facebook account said, "Even our rubbish is given to the zionist. The government is destroying our souls, we can't even get rid of rubbish without feeling guilty! Veoli (sic) is a zionist supporter! It is sickening to b in a country that u call (sic) your own; but your leader is sympathetic to the evil dogs."
Bano is also being probed by her party over her comments related to the pandemic.
In her new Facebook message, the councillor who represents the Small Heath ward, said she took full responsibility for what she had said and stated that she no longer held the views.
"In recent days historic social media posts of mine have come to light. I take full responsibility for them, I recognise that they are utterly unacceptable and I apologise unreservedly for them. I am also sorry for the harm they have caused, especially to the Jewish community.
"Since joining the Labour Party, my opinions on many issues have changed and these historic posts reflect ignorant views that I no longer hold," Bano said.
"I will be undertaking further awareness training and I look forward to meeting with the Jewish communities of Birmingham to discuss what more we can do to stamp out anti-Semitism in our city.
"There is no place for racism or discrimination in our society and I remain committed to serving all the people of Small Heath, who put their trust in me at the elections last year."
Bano's apology follows a formal complaint made to her party.
“The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously. They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken," Birmingham Live quoted a Labour spokesperson as saying.
Birmingham Labour councillor apologises for 'anti-semitic' remarks, says 'There is no place for racism or discrimination in our society'
The messages were posted from Ms Bano’s previous Facebook account
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During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)