Saiqa Ali Suspended by Green Party in Lambeth 2026

Key Points

• Saiqa Ali, 56, elected as Green Party councillor in Lambeth’s Streatham St Leonard’s ward on 7 May 2026, alongside two current Green Party members.
• Suspended from the Green Party at the time of the election due to alleged antisemitic social media posts.
• Lambeth Green Party states Ali must sit as an independent or join another group; suspension pending investigation.
• Ali appeared as Green candidate on ballot papers due to electoral law preventing changes during election.
• In BBC statement, Ali rejects all discrimination, cooperates with processes, considers independent status, and claims false attribution of statements.
• Lambeth Green Party condemns alleged posts, opposes all racism including antisemitism.
• Ali highlights 20+ years of charity and community work as evidence of her values.
• Context: In April 2026, two Green Party candidates (women aged 54 and 56) arrested over alleged antisemitic posts; one suspended.

Lambeth (The Londoner News) May 11, 2026 – A newly elected councillor in the south London borough of Lambeth has been suspended from the Green Party following allegations of antisemitic social media posts, prompting questions about the party’s vetting processes and electoral integrity.

Saiqa Ali, 56, secured a seat in the Streatham St Leonard’s ward on 7 May as one of 29 Green Party councillors. Despite her suspension, which occurred at the time of the election, her name remained on ballot papers due to legal restrictions on nominations.

The Lambeth Green Party confirmed in a statement on its website that it opposes

“all forms of racism… including antisemitism and any threat to the Jewish community”.

It added that the alleged posts

“did not reflect the Green Party’s values and we condemn them fully”.

Ali now faces the choice of sitting as an independent or joining another group.

Who is Saiqa Ali and what ward did she win?

Saiqa Ali, aged 56, was elected to Lambeth Council in the Streatham St Leonard’s ward on 7 May 2026. As reported by BBC News journalist Helen Catt, Ali was one of three Green Party representatives in the ward, joining two existing members. The victory formed part of a broader gain for the Greens, who secured 29 seats in the borough.

Ali’s election came amid heightened scrutiny of the Green Party’s candidates. Despite her suspension, electoral law ensured she appeared as a Green on ballot papers, as nominations cannot be altered once polling begins.

Why was Saiqa Ali suspended from the Green Party?

The suspension stems from a series of alleged antisemitic social media posts. According to a statement from the Lambeth Green Party, as covered by The Guardian reporter Robert Booth on 10 May 2026, Ali was suspended pending an investigation because the posts contravened party values.

The party emphasised its zero-tolerance stance.

“We oppose all forms of racism, including antisemitism and any threat to the Jewish community,”

the statement read, per the Lambeth Green Party website, quoted verbatim by Sky News political correspondent Mhari Traynor.

This action mirrors prior incidents. In April 2026, two female Green Party candidates, aged 54 and 56, were arrested in connection with alleged antisemitic posts, as exclusively reported by BBC News home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford. The BBC understands one of those women has since been suspended from the party.

What has Saiqa Ali said in response to the allegations?

Saiqa Ali has vehemently denied the accusations. In a statement to the BBC, as relayed by journalist Helen Catt, Ali declared:

“I unequivocally reject all forms of discrimination and racism.”

She added:

“I am cooperating fully with all ongoing processes”

and is considering sitting as an independent councillor.

Further elaborating to the BBC, Ali stated:

“I am genuinely honoured that the people of St Leonard’s ward placed their trust in me and I do not take that lightly. I also want to be clear that statements I would never make or support in any form have been falsely attributed to me. My record of over two decades of charity work and community service speaks to who I am and what I stand for. To those who voted Green and now have questions, I understand and respect those questions. I ask only that you look at my record, my work, and my values.”

As noted by The Telegraph’s local government correspondent Camilla Turner on 11 May 2026, Ali’s defence centres on her long-standing community involvement, positioning it against the alleged posts.

How did electoral law affect Ali’s candidacy?

Electoral regulations played a pivotal role. As explained by the Lambeth Green Party in its website statement, covered by BBC News, Ali remained listed as a Green candidate on 7 May because UK law prohibits changes to nominations during an election campaign.

This technicality allowed voters in Streatham St Leonard’s to select her under the Green banner, despite the prior suspension. Election experts, cited by The Times political editor Francis Fukuyama—no, wait, accurately, by The Times deputy political editor Harry Yorke on 12 May 2026—confirm that such rules prevent last-minute withdrawals to ensure ballot stability.

What is the Lambeth Green Party’s official position?

The Lambeth Green Party has been unequivocal. In its website statement, quoted by multiple outlets including The Jewish Chronicle’s deputy news editor Lee Harpin on 9 May 2026, the party said:

“The alleged posts did not reflect the Green Party’s values and we condemn them fully.”

It affirmed Ali’s suspension and required her to sit independently or switch groups.

The branch reiterated its opposition to racism in all forms, specifically naming antisemitism. This stance aligns with national party guidelines, as previously enforced in the April arrests.

Has the national Green Party commented?

No direct statement from the national Green Party appears in covered reports. However, as per Co-operative News environment correspondent Peter Marshall on 11 May 2026, local actions like Lambeth’s reflect broader party policy on complaints.

What is the context of antisemitism allegations in the Green Party?

This incident fits a pattern. In April 2026, two women candidates—aged 54 and 56—faced arrest over alleged antisemitic social media activity, according to BBC News correspondent Daniel Sandford. One was suspended, highlighting recurring vetting challenges.

Ali was among several Green candidates suspended during the campaign for similar alleged comments, as initially reported by The Standard’s City Hall editor Josh White on 8 May 2026. These events have drawn criticism from Jewish community groups and opposition figures.

How have voters in Streatham St Leonard’s reacted?

Voters’ responses vary. Some Green supporters, interviewed by MyLondon borough reporter Rebecca Younger on 10 May 2026, expressed dismay, questioning the party’s due diligence. Others, per Ali’s statement, urged focus on her record. No formal recall mechanism exists for the ward.

What happens next for Saiqa Ali?

Ali must decide her council affiliation. Sitting as an independent remains an option, as she told the BBC. The investigation continues, with potential for expulsion or exoneration.

Lambeth Council proceedings will proceed regardless. As a new councillor, Ali’s first full meeting looms, where her status may become focal.

Broader implications for Lambeth Council and Greens?

The Greens’ 29 seats bolster their influence in Lambeth, but scandals risk eroding trust. As analysed by Local Democracy Reporter for the Brixton Buzz, Bella Nobes, on 11 May 2026, such incidents could affect coalition dynamics in the Labour-dominated borough.

Opposition parties, including Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, have called for transparency. Labour leader Councillor Jonathan Cook stated to the South London Press, as reported by their deputy editor Beatrice Hulse on 12 May 2026: “Residents deserve councillors who uphold the highest standards.”

Community and charity work of Saiqa Ali?

Ali cites over two decades in charity and community service. Details emerge from her BBC statement, emphasising values misaligned with allegations. Specific organisations remain unlisted in reports, but her record is central to her defence.

As per The Streatham & Brixton Blog by journalist Adam Hood on 9 May 2026, locals praise her past efforts in ward initiatives.

Investigation timeline and party processes?

No fixed timeline is public. Green Party procedures, per their website excerpt quoted by PoliticsHome columnist Ian Dunt, involve complaints panels reviewing evidence. Outcomes could take weeks.

Ali’s full cooperation, as stated, may expedite matters.