Two Green Party Candidates in Lambeth Arrested Over Alleged Antisemitic Posts

Two women standing as Green Party candidates in Lambeth, south London, were arrested on 30 April 2026 on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred online, according to the Metropolitan Police. The arrests came nine days after police received reports of antisemitic material posted to social media, with both suspects remaining in custody as local elections drew near.

The Details

The investigation formally began on 21 April, according to the Metropolitan Police, after concerns about antisemitic material posted online were reported to officers. The arrest followed roughly ten days later on 30 April.

Context

The arrests carry additional political weight given Lambeth's position in the 2026 local elections landscape. The Guardian reported that Lambeth is considered a target borough for Green Party gains in the London local elections, increasing the political significance of the arrests at a moment when the party had been building toward meaningful council gains in the borough.

Earlier in April, according to The Guardian, Saiqa Ali — one of the two women widely identified by multiple outlets as a suspect — issued a public apology for "any offence or distress caused to anyone by my social media posts" after Lambeth Labour accused her of sharing antisemitic content online. That apology predated the police investigation becoming public.

What's Next

Both suspects remained in police custody as of reporting by BBC Politics and The Guardian on 30 April. The Metropolitan Police statement did not specify a timeline for a charging decision, and any prosecution under section 19 of the Public Order Act 1986 would require the Attorney General's consent before it could proceed.

The Green Party said it would not comment further while the matter remains with police.