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Former North Yorkshire councillor charged over 'antisemitic' tweets

Wednesday, 8 October 2025 13:34

By Joe Willis, Local Democracy Reporter

Former North Yorkshire Councillor Pat Marsh.

A former North Yorkshire councillor is facing prosecution for allegedly sending antisemitic social media posts.

Pat Marsh, 77, has been charged with displaying threatening, abusive or insulting written material with intent to or likely to stir up racial hatred.

The charge relates to social media posts made in January and February last year.

North Yorkshire Police launched an investigation after members of the public reported posts shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The councillor represented the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone division in Harrogate until she resigned from the authority, prompting a by-election.

She had earlier been suspended from the Liberal Democrats.

The councillor has denied her comments were antisemitic.

Ms Marsh served under the North Yorkshire Liberal Democrats for more than three decades.

The former councillor is due to appear at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court on 6th November.

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