𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The Conservatives have called on the Labour Party to return all donations from eco warrior Dale Vince, after his response to yesterday’s Bondi Beech attack sparked furious reactions. Commenting on the massacre, which appeared to be deliberately targeted at Jews celebrating Hanukah, the Ecotricity founder posted: “Commenting on the shootings in Australia today Netanyahu said – Antisemitism spreads when leaders stay silent.

“Nothing to do with Isreal committing Genocide in Palestine then. Netanyahu wants antisemitism to be a thing, it validates him – he acts to make it so.” Mr Vince made no other comment on the shooting, that left over 15 dead including a Holocaust survivor. Amid furious backlash, the Tory Party’s chairman has now said Labour should return its funding from Mr Vince and condemn his comments.

Kevin Hollinrake blasted: “This is disgraceful. Any language that excuses or legitimises terrorism gives extremists cover and undermines our values.

“Labour must return all donations received from Mr Vince, refuse future ones, and make clear that terrorism has no moral ambiguity.”

Mr Vince has previously donated more than £5.5 million to the Labour Party, money which has already garnered controversy.

His Ecotricity company has earned more than £3.5 million in contracts for Sadiq Khan-run City Hall since 2020, the period in which he gave Labour his millions.

Spokesmen for both Mr Khan and Ecotricity have insisted there is no suggestion of wrongdoing, and that the contracts are unrelated to his donations.

Mr Vince previously said that while he wants to influence policy, he does not want to do so by buying access.

He has also given large sums to groups like Extinction Rebellion and Animal Rising, the hard-left group that disrupted the Grand National in 2023.

His comments about the Bondi Beach shooting sparked wider backlash, with social media users condemning his reaction.

BBC and GB News commentator Josh Howie replied: “Thank you Dale for your heartfelt condolences to the Jewish community during this terrible tragedy and revealing to the world exactly the kind of moral compassionate person you are.

Peer and former minister Ian Livingston said: “If you can’t express unequivocal sympathy for those who have been shot whilst celebrating a religious event best to keep quiet.”

Julia Hartley-Brewer added: “Dale Vince being wrong about everything. Yet again.”

Journalist Oliver Kamm said: “If you can’t find it in yourself to condemn without equivocation, extenuation or misdirection a lethal assault on Jews at a religious festival, it would be best to maintain silence now and always.”

The Labour Party was approached for comment.