Letter from Cllr Donna Harris to the Green Party following allegations of anti-semitism from one of their candidates
This letter was sent today, 16th April, by Cllr Donna Harris, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Lambeth Council, to Zack Polanski and Lambeth Green Leader Cllr Scott Ainslie about the Green candidate in Streatham St Leonard's ward, Saiqa Ali, who has been reported to support a terrorist organisation, to promote conspiracy theories about 9/11 and to believe that the Government has too many Zionist Jews.
The hateful posts of yet another Green party candidate | The Spectator
Councillor Donna Harris
Leader, Liberal Democrat Group
London Borough of Lambeth
16 April 2026
Dear Zack and Scott,
Alleged antisemitic views of Green candidate Saiqa Ali
I am writing in my capacity as Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Lambeth Council, in response to recent reporting, including an article in The Spectator, 15 April 2026, alleging deeply troubling social media content linked to a Green Party candidate, Saiqa Ali, in Streatham St Leonard’s ward. This includes potential support for a proscribed terrorist organisation, Hamas.
The claims outlined, suggesting the promotion of conspiratorial, extremist, and, in some cases, antisemitic views, are serious and, if accurate, raise significant concerns not only for your party but for public confidence in local democracy.
The Spectator article states that:
On 23 September 2024, Ali’s Instagram account posted a picture of a masked fighter, holding a rifle and a string of bullets and wearing what appears to be a Hamas headband. ‘Long live the Resistance,’ writes Ali. ‘Free Palestine!’
Hamas is a proscribed terrorist group under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Please would you tell me:
·Does the Green Party both nationally and in Lambeth support illegal terrorist groups, antisemitism and conspiracy theories?
·Whether Saiqa Ali will remain a Green Party candidate?
·What immediate action is being taken in response to the concerns raised in the article?
·Do you agree with your candidate Saiqa Ali that the UK Government is “over-represented with Zionist Jews”?
·What vetting processes are currently in place, including the extent of social media screening on candidates?
·Whether those processes will now be strengthened and checked?
·What assurances you can provide that there are no further candidates whose views may yet come to light?
Residents in Streatham and across Lambeth will rightly ask how such views were not identified prior to selection, and whether they are more widely shared in your party. This raises broader questions about the robustness of candidate vetting, including whether comprehensive social media checks are consistently undertaken and enforced.
At a time when we are seeing a rise in extremism and populism, both in the UK and internationally, it is incumbent on all political parties to ensure that those seeking public office meet the highest standards. We have a shared responsibility to bring communities together, not risk importing the kind of division and hostility seen elsewhere.
Given the particular concern this raises for the Jewish community in Lambeth and across the UK, it is essential that there is clear reassurance that antisemitism, and all forms of hatred, will be robustly challenged, and that all communities will be protected and respected.
This is an issue that extends beyond party politics. Public confidence, community cohesion, and the integrity of those who stand for elected office are all at stake.
I look forward to your response.
Councillor Donna Harris
Leader of the Liberal Democrat Council Group