North Yorkshire Police have arrested a woman “in connection with an investigation into antisemitic tweets,” the law-enforcement agency in northern England announced.
The woman, whom police did not name, was arrested on Tuesday “on suspicion of displaying threatening, abusive or insulting written material with intent or likely to stir up racial hatred,” according to police. She has been released “under investigation whilst inquiries continue.”
Several news reports identified the suspect as Pat Marsh, a former borough mayor of the town of Harrogate, in North Yorkshire, and a councilor for the Liberal Democrat Party.
Marsh’s tweets, which have sparked widespread condemnation, were reportedly posted between Jan. 24 and Feb. 18.
The Liberal Democrats, a center-left U.K. party, took swift action, suspending Marsh from her position within the party on Monday, following a report in the Jewish News.
Among Marsh’s tweets that remain live are references to “Palestinian children” who are “being slaughtered and abused by Israelis,” and to Israel “killing innocent children” and being “evil.” In another post, she wrote, “No wonder people are becoming anti-Jewish.”
Despite her suspension, Marsh has said she intends to continue to serve as an independent councilor. She chairs the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee, which advises North Yorkshire Council on local matters.
