Ousted Labour politician Jonathan Ashworth deletes post attacking pro-Gaza MP
Jonathan Ashworth, the former Labour frontbencher ousted from his Leicester South seat during the 4 July election, has deleted a social media post questioning his independent rival about his ties to a man charged with terror offences.
Middle East Eye understands that Ashworth deleted the post on X shortly after receiving a warning from lawyers acting on behalf of Leicester South's new MP, Shockat Adam.
Ashworth made the post in light of the arrest of British Muslim activist Majid Freeman on suspicion of Terrorism Act offences on 10 July.
"It's said this individual is a key campaigner for [Leicester South's] new MP Shockat Adam Patel," he wrote.
"[Shockat Adam] must now condemn this individual & condemn those organising demonstrations defending him."
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Freeman, also known as Majid Novsarka, was later charged with encouragement of terrorism and supporting a proscribed organisation.
He was involved in a filmed dispute with Ashworth during the run-up to the election in which he confronted the Labour politician for his purported support for the Israeli war on Gaza, accusing the former MP of having "blood" on his hands.
Ashworth has vehemently denied the suggestions that he supports genocide and has advocated for a ceasefire in line with the Labour Party's current position on the conflict.
'Sour grapes'
The party's leadership drew criticism early in the war for its backing of Israel's military campaign and months-long opposition to a ceasefire, which it changed in February as a second vote on a ceasefire loomed in Parliament.
Keir Starmer's apparent support for a total siege of Gaza last October led to a number of challenges against Labour at the ballot box, with several independent MPs advocating a "pro-Gaza" platform beating the party's candidates during the election, including in the Leicester South seat.
Neither Adam or Ashworth responded to Middle East Eye's request for comment.
Since losing his seat, Ashworth has publicly complained about the conduct of Adam's campaign, including allegations of intimidation.
"I've never known a campaign of such vitriol, bullying, such intimidation," Ashworth said during an interview with Sky News.
Addressing the claims, a spokesperson for Adam previously said: "Shockat was elected by a diverse coalition of voters in Leicester South. He is focussed on delivering for his constituents, and will not be distracted by sour grapes from a beaten rival whose divisive politics were resoundingly rejected at the ballot box."
Ashworth has further criticised the Muslim campaign group, The Muslim Vote, for its purported involvement in the campaign to "punish" him and other Labour MPs.
On Sunday, the organisation published a statement calling Ashworth's comments "deeply defamatory and libellous" and said it would pursue legal action against the former MP.
It denied being behind leaflets distributed in Leicester accusing Ashworth of supporting genocide in Gaza and dismissed accusations it had encouraged the intimidation of the Labour candidate.
It said Ashworth was "trying to malign a popular grassroots campaign that played a part" in removing Ashworth from his seat, as well as other Labour MPs.
"Please retract these statements publicly and correct the record," it said.
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