Police have said they are investigating reports that Bristol University Professor allegedly called for “somebody [to] blow up the venue” of the Jewish Labour Movement’s One Day Conference, in a now-deleted post on X.
Harriet Bradley, the University of Bristol’s Emeritus Professor of Sociology, is said to have posted the comment yesterday.
The Jewish Labour Movement said it had had it confirmed from the university this morning that Bradley’s emeritus status has been revoked. The group “thank the university for their swift action”.
It has been reported that the University of the West of England have also stripped Bradley of her status.
We have been warning repeatedly about what happens when you allow calls for violent intifada on our streets week after week.
— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) December 7, 2023
We have reported Harriet Bradley to @TerrorismPolice. pic.twitter.com/CEuLQnT8zo
Emeritus status is given to retired academics who “have given a significant contribution to the University as an academic leader and for a significant period of time”.
Bradley apologised for the remark and said she “deeply regrets” writing the post.
Avon and Somerset Police have recorded the post as “an incident of malicious communications”, and have launched a investigation.
Bradley, who was previously a councillor for Brislington West, was suspended from the Labour Party in 2019 following allegations of anti-Semitism.
Yesterday, we wrote to @BristolUni to express our deep concern over Bradley’s position.
— Jewish Labour Movement (@JewishLabour) December 8, 2023
This morning, they informed us that Bradley’s emeritus status has been revoked.
We thank the university for their swift action. We remain appalled at the sentiments expressed by Bradley. https://t.co/3gSpRDkEmf
In a statement to Bower News the President of Bristol JSoc, Harry Issacs, said: “We have already been in contact with the Union of Jewish Students on working on an adequate response.
“We hope to see all hate, racism and anti-semitism removed from campus.”
The Union of Jewish Students and Bristol JSoc published a a joint statement on X, calling for the University to act.
A statement from UJS and @BristolJsoc : pic.twitter.com/dUdVWuMy6Z
— Union of Jewish Students (@UJS_UK) December 7, 2023
Thangam Debbonaire, Labour MP for Bristol West, posted a statement supporting the Jewish Labour Movement. She has written to the University of Bristol about the situation, asking what action they will take.
Solidarity with @JewishLabour – Ihave also written to @BristolUni this afternoon to ask what action they will take. https://t.co/pZFDuddgfw
— Thangam Debbonaire (@ThangamMP) December 7, 2023
