A Conservative peer has sparked outrage after suggesting Jewish people should fund a planned Holocaust memorial in London because they have “an awful lot of money.”
Lord Archie Hamilton, a former minister under Margaret Thatcher and John Major, made the comments during a House of Lords debate on whether to build the memorial in Victoria Tower Gardens, next to Parliament.
“Why Should Taxpayers Pay?”
Hamilton, who lives nearby, argued the park was too small for the project. But his remarks took a turn when he questioned why government money was being used.
“The Jewish community in Britain has an awful lot of money… I do not understand why they should not pay for their own memorial.”
Crossbench peer Ian Austin, a former Labour MP, immediately pushed back, saying the memorial was not just for Jewish people but for everyone.
Hamilton doubled down, claiming:
“The driving forces behind putting up this memorial are the Jewish people in this country. They are people who have property everywhere. I do not see why they should not fund it.”
Backlash from MPs and Anti-Racism Groups
Hamilton’s comments were swiftly condemned.
Ian Austin called them “completely unacceptable” and urged the Conservative Party to take action.
“How many antisemitic caricatures is it possible to get in one speech? It is shocking to hear comments like this in a debate about the Holocaust.”
Danny Stone, chief executive of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, was equally blunt:
“Not only were Lord Hamilton’s comments ill-judged, racist, and false, but they also betrayed a complete lack of understanding about the Jewish community and the purpose of the Holocaust memorial.”
Hamilton Backtracks
Following the backlash, Hamilton apologised, saying he did not intend to be antisemitic.
“With hindsight, having read my comments, I realise that my remarks were insensitive and I apologise unreservedly. I intend to meet with groups from the Jewish community to better understand how to communicate on these issues.”
However, critics argue this isn’t enough, calling for stronger action from the Conservative Party.
The Holocaust memorial and education centre was approved in 2021 after a public inquiry, following a proposal from David Cameron’s government in 2015. Some, including crossbench peer Ruth Deech, oppose the location but support the project itself.
The Conservative Party has yet to comment on the controversy.
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