Former Harrogate mayor found to have posted tweets said to be antisemitic

A former Harrogate mayor and North Yorkshire councillor posted a series of antisemitic tweets over a month-long period, a jury has found.

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

A jury at York Crown Court today (August 21) found that Ms Marsh did the act alleged following a trial of the facts.

The court heard that some of the posts attracted hundreds of views and referred to Jewish people in derogatory terms.

Prosecutor Ashleigh Metcalfe said some of the material was antisemitic.

A trial of the facts is held when a defendant is found unfit to enter a plea or take part in a conventional trial. A jury is instead asked to decide whether they carried out the acts alleged.

Following the jury's finding, Judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York, said the “only option” was to give Ms Marsh an absolute discharge because of her mental and physical condition.

Yesterday, the court heard that an 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 jury was told 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.