Former Green Party by-election candidate apologises for sharing 'false flag' post

Former Green Party by-election candidate apologises for sharing 'false flag' post

1 hour ago

Jack Fenwick,Political correspondentand

Richard Wheeler

Green Party

Chris Kennedy has pulled out of the Makerfield by-election just hours after he was announced as the Green Party's candidate

The Green Party said its former Makerfield by-election candidate has apologised for sharing social media posts which described an attack on ambulances run by a Jewish charity as a "false flag".

Chris Kennedy was announced as the party's candidate on Thursday but withdrew hours later, with the Greens citing "personal and family reasons".

The Times newspaper later reported it had approached Kennedy about social media posts he shared that were linked to the arson attack on four ambulances operated by the charity Hatzola in Golders Green, north London.

A Green Party spokesperson said: "We have spoken to Chris about these posts, and he has now deleted them. He apologises for the offence caused."

They also said the posts "don't reflect the views of The Green Party".

According to The Times, one of posts shared by Mr Kennedy was an Instagram video which described the arrests of two men over the Golders Green incident as trying to "keep the false flag flying".

A false flag is a political or military action carried out with the intention of blaming an opponent for it.

The Green Party still insists Kennedy's withdrawal as their candidate in Makerfield is due to personal and family reasons.

It was understood on Thursday that Kennedy, a registered nurse and children's safeguarding specialist, wanted to focus on the caring responsibilities of his family.

The by-election in the Greater Manchester constituency on 18 June was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons.

Simons said he was stepping down to allow Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham the opportunity to contest the seat and, if successful, make a return to Westminster as an MP.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski previously described Kennedy as a "fantastic candidate" and said the by-election is about "who is making the case for lower bills, warmer and more affordable homes, and a greener and fairer economy".

The Greens intend to make a decision about a replacement candidate on Monday.

Five other parties have so far announced their candidates:Andy Burnham, the Labour PartyAlan "Howlin" Laud Hope, The Official Monster Raving Loony PartyRobert Kenyon, Reform UKRebecca Shepherd, Restore BritainMichael Winstanley, the Conservative Party