Labour councillor Alan Gardiner sparked outrage at a Hull City Council meeting yesterday after making a Nazi salute and repeatedly shouting “I’m a fascist”.
The veteran politician, who represents Hull’s Ings ward, made the shocking gesture during what has been described as a chaotic council session.
The incident occurred without any prior accusation of fascism from opposition members.
The Labour Party has confirmed it is now investigating the councillor’s conduct.
Labour councillor Alan Gardiner sparked outrage at a Hull City Council meeting yesterday after making a Nazi salute and repeatedly shouting ‘I’m a fascist’
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The incident comes just weeks after a similar controversy in the United States involving Elon Musk, who was accused of making a Nazi gesture at a Trump rally.
Gardiner has since apologised for his actions during the meeting.
During the council meeting, Councillor Gardiner told a Liberal Democrat opponent to “shut up” before making the straight-armed gesture.
After noticing shocked gasps from opposition councillors, he repeatedly declared: “I’m a fascist! I’m a fascist! I’m a fascist!”
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The Nazi salute, known as the Sieg Heil, is widely recognised as a symbol of fascism and the Nazi regime.
Gardiner’s actions immediately threw the Hull City Council session into chaos.
Hull Liberal Democrat councillor Sarita Robinson described Gardiner’s actions as “deeply disturbing”.
“Labour said they would get serious about tackling anti-semitism at every level, they need to act clearly and swiftly on this,” she told The Express.
The veteran politician, who represents Hull’s Ings ward, made the shocking gesture during what has been described as a chaotic council session
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Robinson, who is Jewish, expressed her personal distress at witnessing the incident.
“Hull is a proud and welcoming city and this action does not speak for us. As a Jewish person and minority in the city it was horrific to see this display of ambient antisemitism,” she added.
A Labour Party spokesman has confirmed they are now assessing the incident involving Councillor Gardiner.
Following the incident, Gardiner said: “I wholeheartedly apologise for my comments made in the chamber earlier today,” he said.
He explained that his actions came after a heated debate.
“After a heated debate I made comments in irony which upon reflection I know are highly inappropriate,” Gardiner added.
