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24/02/2006
Livingstone suspended for Nazi remark
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has suspended for four weeks after he was found guilty of bringing his office into disrepute for comparing a Jewish journalist to a Nazi concentration camp guard.
The Adjudication Panel for England ruled that Mr Livingstone's remarks had been "unnecessarily insensitive" and "offensive" to London Evening Standard reporter Oliver Finegold.
Mr Livingstone made the remarks when Mr Finegold questioned him after leaving a reception at City Hall. The Mayor was recorded asking Mr Finegold if he had ever been a German war criminal. When he was told that Mr Finegold was Jewish and offended by the remark, Mr Livingstone responded by comparing him to a concentration camp guard.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews complained about the comments.
Mr Livingstone, who was not present at today's hearing, had said that he had not intended to offend the Jewish community by making the remark.
However, the Mayor said that decision, by an unelected body, struck "at the heart of democracy." He said that he would decided what further action he would be taking next week.
Earlier, his lawyer had argued that although Mr Livingstone's reputation might have suffered, he had not damaged the reputation of the London Mayor's office.
A previous hearing had thrown out an additional charge of failing to respect others against Mr Livingstone.
(KMcA/GB)
The Adjudication Panel for England ruled that Mr Livingstone's remarks had been "unnecessarily insensitive" and "offensive" to London Evening Standard reporter Oliver Finegold.
Mr Livingstone made the remarks when Mr Finegold questioned him after leaving a reception at City Hall. The Mayor was recorded asking Mr Finegold if he had ever been a German war criminal. When he was told that Mr Finegold was Jewish and offended by the remark, Mr Livingstone responded by comparing him to a concentration camp guard.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews complained about the comments.
Mr Livingstone, who was not present at today's hearing, had said that he had not intended to offend the Jewish community by making the remark.
However, the Mayor said that decision, by an unelected body, struck "at the heart of democracy." He said that he would decided what further action he would be taking next week.
Earlier, his lawyer had argued that although Mr Livingstone's reputation might have suffered, he had not damaged the reputation of the London Mayor's office.
A previous hearing had thrown out an additional charge of failing to respect others against Mr Livingstone.
(KMcA/GB)
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No apology from Livingstone over Nazi remark
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London Mayor Ken Livingstone has said that he will not apologise for comparing a Jewish reporter to a concentration camp guard. Mr Livingstone was caught on tape accusing Evening Standard reporter Oliver Finegold of behaving like a concentration camp guard.
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Court delays Livingstone suspension
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Court delays Livingstone suspension
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London mayor wins court appeal
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has won a high court appeal relating to comments he made to a Jewish reporter, in February 2005, comparing him to a concentration camp guard.
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