A British music promoter reportedly has admitted making anti-Semitic remarks toward a Jewish lawmaker.
Philip Hayes, 53, from Liverpool, received a $190 fine for launching a racially abusive tirade in November at Luciana Berger, a lawmaker for the Labor Party, while they attended the Liverpool Music Awards, the BBC reported.
He pleaded guilty Wednesday in Liverpool Magistrates Court to two charges of racially aggravated disorder, according to the BBC. The court heard Hayes and Berger, who serves the Wavertree area, who were both guests at an awards VIP event in Liverpool.
The conversation there had turned to the conflict between Israel and Gaza and 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 the politician about who her prime pinister 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 solicitor read out a statement insisting he was neither a “racist or an anti-Semite”. The statement said: “I sincerely apologize for the hurt and offense my behaviour 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.”
Defending attorney George White said his client had “fallen off the wagon” after battling a drink problem for five years.