January 10, 2013
British music promoter fined for anti-Semitic tirade
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A British music promoter admitted making anti-Semitic remarks toward a Jewish lawmaker and was fined.
Philip Hayes, 53, of Liverpool received a $190 fine on Wednesday for launching a racially abusive tirade in November at Luciana Berger of the Labor Party while they attended the Liverpool Music Awards, the BBC reported.
Hayes pleaded guilty in Liverpool Magistrates Court to two charges of racially aggravated disorder, according to the BBC.
At an awards ceremony in Liverpool, in a conversation about the conflict between Israel and Gaza, Hayes said “all Jewish people have money.” He also used pejoratives in speaking about Jews he knew and said, "I hate Jewish people.”
Hayes questioned Berger about who her prime minister was and referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as her leader. The prosecutor, Amanda Haycock, told the court that Berger “told Mr. Hayes that her prime minister was David Cameron."
The following day Hayes sent Berger a message on Facebook apologizing for his abusive language.
Outside the court, Hayes was silent as his attorney read a statement insisting that Hayes was neither a "racist or an anti-Semite."
The statement said, "I sincerely apologize for the hurt and offense my behavior has caused Miss Berger. Prior to this offense, for over 30 years I have always tried to fight racism in every form in my personal and professional life.”
Defense attorney George White said his client had "fallen off the wagon" after battling a drinking problem for five years.
