Lord Alan Sugar Caught Up In Twitter Storm After Tweeting Jeremy Corbyn Hitler Meme
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Lord Alan Sugar has been urged to 'delete and disown' a tweet showing a mocked-up image of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn sat beside Adolf Hitler.
The image was shared with his 5.5million Twitter followers yesterday alongside the caption: "when you're pictured at Nuremberg and claim you thought you were going to a car rally."
Sharing the post, Lord Sugar wrote: "Many a true word spoken in jest Corbyn."
Lord Sugar, a former Labour peer who was born into a Jewish family, shared the post as Corbyn said his party 'must do better' to deal with antisemitism.
Labour MP and shadow chancellor John McDonnell tweeted to say people had contacted regarding the tweet and 'appealed' to Lord Sugar to 'delete and disown it'.
People have contacted me about Alan Sugar's tweet. I just make this appeal to him. Please delete and disown it. We all desperately need to bring people together now. We can hold strong views about each other's politics but now is the time to learn from each other and unite people
- John McDonnell MP (@johnmcdonnellMP) March 30, 2018
He's far from the only one to call on the business man and host to remove the tweet, with dozens of social media users condemning the post, some even calling on the BBC to terminate its contract with Sugar:
You should be ashamed as a Jewish man yourself even associating yourself with such things. Listen to yourself on Twitter, talking to people like you're twelve feet tall just because you have money. Honestly, if money makes you into a nasty and idiotic person I'll stay poor.
- Just Another Brit (@JWDunnAuthor) March 31, 2018
Dear @BBCOne I believe @Lord_Sugar has crossed a line. Funding for his licence fee paid show @bbcapprentice should be reviewed immediately. He's just linked the leader of official opposition to that of Hitler. Disgraceful.
- John M (@Juicy_John) March 31, 2018
Twitter is a zone of free expression, strong opinions and "rough and tumble" We all know that. But this is grossly misjudged, and deeply offensive.
Lord Sugar, please delete it immediately.
If you won't, then I have two words for you
"You're fired" https://t.co/cJ2gK8mOCG
- Jon Trickett (@jon_trickett) March 31, 2018
John Mann, chairman of the all-party parliamentary group against antisemitism said the was 'unwarranted' and also urged Lord Sugar to remove it.
The use of Hitler/ Nazi comparators is demeaning, unwarranted and dangerous. You damage the fight against anti Semitism with this @Lord_Sugar. Withdraw this and apologise please. https://t.co/JsqnohTf63
- John Mann (@JohnMannMP) March 30, 2018
But, Lord Sugar defended his post, saying it was a joke adding that he hadn't made the original image- he wrote: "It is a joke, but the angry brigade like to moan."
In response to the tweet from McDonnell, Lord Sugar said:
Dear Mr McDonnell. I am sorry you are offended by my retweet on the picture. First let me say I am not the originator it has been doing the rounds. You need to get Corbyn to make a firm statement about antisemitism. There is no smoke without fire in Labour https://t.co/aOcqS5hvI8
- Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) March 31, 2018
He has, however, since removed the post.
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