SNP expel blogger in 'anti-Semitism' row

A NATIONALIST blogger who was accused of “vile anti-Semitism” after citing Hitler in an attack on a Jewish Labour activist has been expelled by the SNP.

Gareth Wardell, who runs the Grouse Beater blog, has been excluded with immediate effect, although he has a right to appeal.

Mr Wardell called it a “clumsy authoritarian solution” that was “bereft of decency and dignity”, and said he was considering legal action against a number of people for defamation.

He also questioned why the SNP reacted "so ineptly and cowardly in assuming there was cause for concern?"

An SNP spokesman said: “The decision of the Member Conduct Committee has been reported to Mr Wardell.

“As he has a right to appeal, we’ll make no further comment until the process is complete."

The husband of the respected Scottish artist Barbara Rae, Mr Wardell was suspended by the SNP last month after a complaint to the party’s disciplinary committee.

It followed him writing an article describing the GMB union as a “Cockney clique”, in which he focused on GMB Scotland organiser Rhea Wolfson.

Ms Wolfson, a Jewish Labour activist who is her party’s Westminster candidate in Livingston, played a prominent part in the recent strike over equal pay at SNP-run Glasgow City Council.

In a section titled “Hitler’s view”, Mr Wardell wrote: “In Part 1 of Mein Kampf, Hitler attacks unions over and over again. Unions are fascism’s Public Enemy Number 1. He went further.

“He accused ‘The Jew’ of gradually assuming leadership of the trade union movement. Hitler wanted a blindly obedient fighting force loyal only to the national leader of government.

“Whether or not Wolfson is intellectually aware of Hitler’s outlook is unknown but she certainly knows how to make the most of it.”

Ms Wolfson, a past victim of anti-Semitic abuse, condemned the article.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay called it a “vile anti-Semitic blog” and attacked those who promoted it on social media, including Councillor Frank Anderson, SNP group leader in West Lothian.

Gareth Wardell

The SNP said Ms Wolfson deserved “a full apology from the author for the clear offence that has been caused”.

Nicola Sturgeon was also dragged into the row, telling Holyrood that Mr Anderson made a “significant error of judgment” out of ignorance.

Mr Anderson also wrote an “unreserved apology” to Ms Wolfson.

Confirming his expulsion on Twitter, Mr Wardell said he was treated unfairly by the SNP.

He said: “The standard of intellect and guile of the disciplinary committee is lamentable.

“I gave the SNP £1,000 some time ago. I wonder if I should ask for it back?

“Knowing of my record for the cause they ought to have invited me to a chat, instead someone (maybe [SNP national secretary] Angus McLeod) judged it was a heinous crime I had committed and only (what I call) the Delinquency Committee could deal with it.

“The committee is bereft of decency and dignity.”

In a new blog post, Mr Wardell wrote: "To my mind the fault lies with the SNP. And that is a very sad thing to have to say. 

"The principle under attack is this: if every individual named and smeared by our opponents is to be taken out and shot by our own side for the sake of political expediency, who can blame the enemies of democracy from keeping a list of prime targets until each name is crossed out in red, the odious campaign deemed a success.

"The brutal tactics of the British State knows no limit nor decency."

He also accused the SNP's Women's Rights and Equalities Convener of posting "preposterous pyschobabble" on her own blog about the row.

He wrote: "I call upon Fiona Robertson to step down from her post as Women’s Rights and Equalities Convener. She does not have the acumen or the experience to command the post.

"Her attack on my integrity is both scurrilous and lethal. I regard it as defamation and have reported it as such. Her blog undermined cool logic by all sides, inflaming the issue out of all proportions.  She created a false validity where none exists."

He added: "I predicted what the SNP’s decision would be and alas was proved correct. They have precedent for sacrificing loyal supporters.

"Michelle Thomson was crucified and yet had done nothing wrong. Then again, I am in good company, the SNP expelled Alex Salmond back in the days when he was an outspoken and energetic young politician."