Councillor's role 'untenable' after Nazi salute

The position of a Labour councillor, who appeared to perform a Nazi salute during a council meeting, is "untenable", the vice-chair of a Hull synagogue has said.

Alan Gardiner, who represents the Ings ward on Hull City Council, shouted "I'm a fascist" after seemingly making the gesture during a meeting in February.

In a letter to the Labour Party, Andy Harbert, vice-chair of the Hull Reform Synagogue, said the city's Jewish community were "hurt, shocked, and outraged" by the councillor's actions.

Gardiner has released a statement apologising for the incident and Labour said it was reviewing the footage.

The incident took place during a meeting which saw residents' council tax being raised by 4.99%.

Mr Harbert wrote: "Anyone who made such a gesture in ordinary working life would no longer be in their position. Councillor Alan Gardiner's position is untenable."

In a statement, Gardiner said: "I wholeheartedly apologise for my comments made in the chamber.

"After a heated debate I made comments in irony, which, upon reflection, I know are highly inappropriate."

Labour's investigation into the matter is ongoing, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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