Legendary scouse music promoter, Philip Hayes was fined £170 after pleading guilty to the antisemitic abuse of Luciana Berger MP:
She said Hayes, who founded The Picket music venue in Liverpool, claimed “all Jewish people had money” and “referred to the prime minister of Israel as ‘your prime minister’, to which she said, ‘David Cameron is my prime minister’.
After the ceremony at the Philharmonic Hall, Hayes caught up with Ms Berger again and said he “hated” Jewish people.
Ms Haydock said: “Ms Berger was upset and felt that the comment was directed at her as she was the only Jewish person in the group.”
He was drunk.
Hayes’s solicitor George White said: “He was quite drunk and he was talking out of character when he said those words.
“Immediately when he woke up the next day he showed genuine remorse and regret and apologised to her.”
In a statement Hayes said: “I sincerely apologise for the hurt and offence my behaviour has caused Ms Berger.
“Prior to this offence, for over 30 years, I have always tried to fight racism in every form in my personal and professional life.
“This was a terrible act which I have accepted I committed, but I am not a racist or an anti-Semite.”
It isn’t just Jews. The world is full of people who think of themselves as “anti racists” or “opposed to homophobia”, or what have you. But that is at odds with their actual, reflexive attitudes.
Get a bit pissed, get wound up – it all comes out so easily.
Old attitudes never really die.
UPDATE
More details here
