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A Labour Party member and Croydon Council worker has been criticised for sharing “appalling” online posts comparing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Hitler

The under-fire activist holds a role that is meant to promote the voices of ethnic minorities on behalf of the Labour Party.

Dorian Bartley has been condemned for sharing the material along with posts about terrorist attacks in London that said "everything that happens in London is caught on camera. Except terrorist attacks", and, regarding the 9/11 attacker, "jet fuel can melt steel beams, but their passports survived, cool story bro".

He has apologised for sharing the "wrong" and "offensive" posts, and said in a public message online that it was “naïve” to share them. He added that he wishes to continue his “political education”.

Mr Bartley works for Croydon Council and is a member of the Labour Party in Lambeth.

His role for Labour in Lambeth, as listed on his online Twitter profile, describes himself as the BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) officer for the Gipsy Hill ward.

Online he lists his profession as a neighbourhood support officer – helping police keep communities safe.

his role may now be reviewed as Croydon Council leader Tony Newman has “utterly condemned” the material posted by Mr Bartley.

Writing on Facebook, he accepted he posted the material and that some of it was “offensive and wrong”.

(Image: ConservativeHome)

Screengrabs show the nature of the posts he shared.

These included an image of Adolf Hitler above the image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with a quote above Hitler reading "we are the master race", and a quote above Netanyahu reading "we are god's chosen people", while the image is captioned "what's the difference?".

Another post shared by Mr Bartley, which had a picture of the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in America, alongside a passport, which read: “Jet fuel can melt steel beams but not their passports. Cool story, bro.”

A further post states: “I’m not into conspiracy theories but where is the f****** Boeing 757.”

In addition to these posts, Mr Bartley shared a post about London terror attacks which said: “Everything in London is caught on camera except terror attacks …”

This post came with a caption stating “riddle me this”.

The screengrabs were taken by ConservativeHome, which investigated Mr Bartley’s online activity.

(Image: ConservativeHome)

In response to the material, Croydon Council's leader, Labour's Tony Newman, said: “I utterly condemn it, let that be clear, I utterly condemn it.”

He added: “Were are currently dealing with the issue in accordance with our usual employment processes.”

Lambeth Labour have also been quick to condemn the posts shared by Mr Bartley, branding the views contained in them “appalling”.

In a statement, the group said: “We condemn these posts unequivocally. They are not our views, nor do they fit with the values of our party.

“The posts are appalling and unacceptable. There is absolutely no place for these views or the people who hold them in the Labour Party.”

Attempts have been made to reach Mr Bartley for comment, through both the Labour Party and directly.

These have been unsuccessful. However, in a public post on Facebook the activist apologised.

(Image: ConservativeHome)

The statement read: “In the last year I have re-posted some content on my personal Facebook page not appropriate for a responsible ward officer, a post I held until recently moving home.

“The meme which compared the Israeli President [sic] to Hitler, in particular, was offensive and wrong. I wish to apologise for the offence I have caused, particularly to those in the Jewish community.

“I have been politically active for a relatively short time, but have, of course, encountered politics in my everyday life as a working class black man.

“I have always sought to better understand the world, but I now realise it was wrong and naïve of me to share some of the material I encountered.

“I wish to continue to fight against inequality, racism and injustice and will make every effort to improve my political education and question the sources I find online.

“During my time in the Labour Party I have got to know Jewish members, some who have now offered me support in better understanding antisemitism.

“I am keen to understand the hurt my posts have caused and think political education in the party on antisemitism, racism and the use of social media would be very useful, particularly for members whose political journeys have begun relatively recently.”