Press Release – Leeds, 4 January 2025
The Leeds Green Party stands in solidarity with Councillor Mothin Ali and firmly rejects the misleading implications made in a recent video circulated online.
The Leeds Green Party stands in solidarity with Councillor Mothin Ali and firmly rejects the misleading implications made in a recent video circulated online.
The video, narrated by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (also known as Tommy Robinson) and later shared by Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter) on 3 January 2025, has received over 21 million views in less than 24 hours.
Councillor Ali has been unfairly featured in a misleading and harmful context to promote division and inflame hate.
We categorically reject the content and implications of the video. Councillor Ali has no connection whatsoever to the narrative presented. Attempts to link crime to ethnicity or religion are deliberate efforts to fuel hatred.
We are deeply concerned about the resurgence of hate speech and Islamophobia following last summer’s fascist riots across the country. Videos like this risk inflaming tensions and spreading anxiety among Muslim communities.
We ask those involved in the production, publication, and sharing of this video to withdraw it immediately. We also call upon British political leaders to promote unity and offer equal support to all communities, including Muslim communities.
Penny Stables, Leeds City Council Green Party Leader, stated:
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with our hardworking councillor for Gipton & Harehills, against all those who are trying to divide communities for their own political gain!”
ENDS
Contact Information
Leeds Green Party: coordinator@leeds.greenparty.org.uk