Former Harrogate mayor faces trial of facts over alleged antisemitic tweets

A former Harrogate mayor and North Yorkshire councillor is facing a trial of facts over allegations she posted material on X which prosecutors say was likely to stir up racial hatred.

Pat Marsh, 78, is accused of publishing or distributing written material in relation to posts made on X between January 21 and February 19, 2024.

A trial of facts is taking place at York Crown Court, as Ms Marsh has been deemed physically and mentally unfit to enter a plea and give evidence as part of a conventional trial.

The proceedings, which are expected to conclude on Friday, are being heard by a jury asked to decide whether Ms Marsh carried out the acts alleged by the prosecution, with the defence case yet to be heard.

Opening the case, prosecutor Ashleigh Metcalfe said most of the content Ms Marsh posted on X while she was a serving councillor was concerned with events in Gaza and was “plainly anti-Israel”.

She added that “some of the material was antisemitic”.

Ms Metcalfe told jurors that some of the tweets were alleged to be threatening, abusive or insulting and in all the circumstances, likely to stir up racial hatred.

The posts attracted hundreds of views, she said, with some later picked up by local and national media outlets.

The court heard that some of the material referred to Jewish people in derogatory terms.

The prosecutor told the jury it was “bigotry in the extreme.”

She added: “We say it is plainly insulting and abusive.”

The court heard the investigation began after police received reports from four members of the public about the alleged antisemitic posts.

Ms Marsh was subsequently arrested at her home in Knaresborough.

The court heard six electronic devices, including several mobile phones and three laptops, were seized and forensically examined.

Ms Marsh was questioned at Harrogate Police Station in the presence of a solicitor but exercised her right to silence, the court heard.

Following her arrest, Ms Marsh resigned from her position as councillor for the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone division in Harrogate. She had been involved in local politics for more than three decades.

She was also suspended by her party, the Liberal Democrats.

The hearing continues.