A TORY group representing one of Britain’s largest Jewish populations is under investigation for alleged anti-semitic abuse against a Labour candidate during a council by-election last year.

Hertsmere Tories are being investigated by Conservative HQ for abusive comments made against Dr Dan Ozarow, who is Jewish.

The academic was Labour’s candidate in the by-election for Borehamwood Kenilworth ward in February 2020.

Conservative Party chairwoman Amanda Milling MP notified him of the investigation.

Dr Ozarow said: “The abuse directed at me simply because I stood as a candidate against them was deeply upsetting and hurtful.”

He added that the investigation would be “a litmus test” over whether Tories will tackle anti-semitism “when it occurs in their own ranks.”

Dr Ozarow said there was an “apparently orchestrated campaign” by the Conservatives and their supporters, which led to comments posted on Facebook for him to “go to the gas chambers,” to him being labelled a “Jew-hating Jew c**t,” a “Nazi” and that he “lacked a Jewish soul.”

The Conservatives also delivered a letter from their candidate Brett Rosehill, who won the by-election, to residents’ homes that implied his opponent supported Hezbollah, Dr Ozarow said.

Senior Tory councillor Paul Morris placed a picture of Dr Ozarow on an electronic billboard outside Elstree & Borehamwood rail station making the same inference, he added.

Dr Ozarow said he received abusive and threatening emails, and one mentioned his unborn baby.

In response to the attacks, Labour’s then-general secretary Jennie Formby wrote to the Conservative Party chief executive to demand action be taken against councillors contributing to the abuse. 

Cllr Sandra Parnell, deputy leader of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council, was subsequently made to apologise for posting on Facebook that Dr Ozarow was “the worst anti-semite.”

As part of the libel settlement she also agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to the Holocaust Education Trust.

The Conservative Party was contacted for comment.