Dawn Butler withdraws from Hay Festival over claim sponsor profits from ‘Israel genocide’

Labour MP Dawn Butler has been accused of “ridiculous posturing” after announcing she had joined a group of authors in withdrawing from the Hay Festival over claims that its sponsor Baillie Gifford profits from “Israeli occupation, apartheid and genocide.”

The Brent Central MP issued a statement saying she “cannot in good conscience participate in this festival”, where she had been scheduled to speak about her book A Purposeful Life (Torva).

In her statement Butler referred to claims made by the Fossil Free Books’ group which suggested the investment company Baillie Gifford have “up to £10bn invested in companies with direct or indirect links to Israel’s defence.”

The MP said she believed Israel did have a “right to defend herself”  but she had become “disgusted by events in Gaza” and was therefore backing calls to boycott the famous festival.

One senior communal source told Jewish News they considered Butler’s action to be little more than “ridiculous posturing” on her part.

Butler’s actions also come amid mounting concerns about the continued influence of the hard-left Momentum group in the Brent Labour group. A series of promotions for individuals linked to Momentum are set to be confirmed by Brent Labour this week.

Butler’s decision to withdraw from the Hay Festival was immediately praised by Cllr Ihtesham Malik Afazal, Brent Labour councillor for Wembley Hill, who posted on X:”This is what a real politician looks like! Standing on principle and justice.”

In her statement, Butler said: “I have been shocked and disgusted by events in Gaza. With over 35,000 Palestinians now killed by the IDF – a majority of them women and children – and with Gaza on the brink of man-made famine, I cannot in good conscience participate in this festival. I repeat my call for an immediate ceasefire on both sides. The thing about principles is they mean nothing unless you are prepared to sacrifice something.”

Responding to the  Fossil Free Books’ statement  Baillie Gifford said the claim it profits from “Israeli occupation, apartheid and genocide” as “seriously misleading”.

Hay Festival global chief executive Julie Finch said: “We have requested additional information from Baillie Gifford and continue to work to safeguard our events as free and respectful platforms for exchanging ideas.”

On X, Booker 2023 shortlisted-author, Sarah Bernstein, said: “I support Dawn Butler’s principled decision to withdraw from Hay as a legitimate form of protest designed to draw attention to Baillie Gifford’s interests in fossil fuel and Israeli cybersecurity firms. I also support her call for Baillie Gifford to divest from these companies.”

Hay Festival global chief executive Finch added:” We remain committed to reaching the widest possible audiences through our work and presenting one of a kind events in the heart of the Welsh countryside next week.”

Meanwhile, Brent Labour is expected to confirm this week that Group chief whip Stephen Crabb has been replaced by Cllr Iman Ahmadi Moghaddam.

Crabb had previously raised concerns with regional chiefs about a BDS motion circulated within the Group by Momentum activists, which was eventually withdrawn by leader Muhammed Butt.

Momentum supporter Cllr Jake Rubin has been appointment as Cabinet Lead Member for Employment, Innovation and Climate Action.

Jewish News understands that the recent London mayoral election results have led to concerns being raised about the performance of Labour across the Brent and Harrow region.

While Sadiq Khan performed well elsewhere, including in Barnet and Camden,  in Brent and Harrow, the Conservative’s did better than expected.

There was evidence of support for Susan Hall in Harrow, while in Brent the turn-out was below that across many parts of the capital.