CONTROVERSY over the decision by the Bradford Labour party to shortlist a woman who posted “odious” views about Jews for a councillor role is continuing with Bradford Council’s leader saying the comments have “no place in our society”.

On Friday, the Telegraph & Argus exclusively revealed that Nasreen Khan, a former activist for the Respect Party, has been put on a two-person shortlist for Labour’s nomination in the Little Horton ward for next year’s local elections.

In 2012, using the name Naz Kahn, she said: “It’s such a shame that the history teachers in our school never taught us this but they are the first to start brainwashing us and our children into thinking the bad guy was Hitler.

“What have the Jews done good in this world??”

She has since apologised for her comments, saying: “I accept fully that it was inappropriate and unacceptable.

“I have travelled a long way since then and learned so much. I profoundly regret the comments I made in 2012 and any offence they caused.”

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, who leads the Labour-run Council, said: “No-one who has seen these comments from 2012 can fail to be appalled by them. Ms Kahn herself appears to accept this judgement. Such comments have no place in our society.”

Labour against Antisemitism said: “The shortlisting of Nasreen Khan, someone who has made highly offensive comments, as a Labour local council candidate is neither a shock or a surprise.

“It is another indication of a Labour Party that is failing in its ability to combat antisemitism among its own membership.”

Rudi Leavor, chairman of Bradford Synagogue, said Ms Khan was not suitable to be a councillor.

“Her comments from a few years ago were inexcusable, but she has acknowledged they were wrong,” he said.

Naz Shah (Bradford West MP) in the past had said some not too complementary things about Israel but she has since apologised and completely rehabilitated. If we accept the apology of Naz Shah then we must accept the apology of Nasreen Khan.

“However, what she said was pretty odious, and I would say she is not a suitable person to be selected for a council role.”

When the T&A contacted Ms Khan for a response she directed us to the regional Labour office which has said it does not comment on internal party selection matters.

The T&A had originally been told the nomination decision would be made last Friday but sources have since said it will be on November 17.