Bath’s Liberal Democrat mayor has stepped down from both his ceremonial role and council position after promoting conspiracy theories suggesting the arson attack on Jewish community ambulances in north London was staged.
Dr Bharat Pankhania, the city’s 798th mayor, tendered his resignation following suspension over social media posts characterising the Golders Green incident as an “Israeli false flag operation” and speculating the destruction might constitute insurance fraud.
A Bath and North East Somerset Liberal Democrat council group spokesman confirmed both resignations had been accepted, stating: “Cllr Pankhania again apologised for his interactions on X, and reiterated that he has spent his life working with all communities, whilst acknowledging the hurt he had caused.”
The spokesman added: “In resigning, Cllr Pankhania is taking clear personal responsibility for his actions. As a Group and as a Party, we reject discrimination wherever it occurs and reiterate our stance against antisemitism.”
Dr Pankhania issued an “unreserved” apology last week for what he termed “abhorrent” social media activity, claiming he had inadvertently reposted or replied to content misaligned with his values. “I am incredibly apologetic that I have not lived up to the standards I set myself,” he stated, confirming he had deleted the offending material.
The posts referenced the 23 March arson attack targeting four ambulances operated by Hatzola, a volunteer-run Jewish community emergency medical charity, in a synagogue car park in north London. Metropolitan Police are treating the incident as an antisemitic hate crime.
Two British nationals aged 47 and 45 were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life before being released on bail pending further investigation.
Hatzola operates as a non-profit organisation providing free emergency medical response across London, Manchester, Gateshead, Canvey Island and Hertfordshire, serving the wider community regardless of religious affiliation whilst working alongside conventional emergency services.
The resignation represents the latest fallout from the Golders Green attack, which has sparked widespread condemnation across the political spectrum and renewed focus on antisemitic incidents in Britain.
