Green Party member John Grant admitted he was left feeling a “little uncomfortable” after seeing a video of fellow members delivering an election announcement in a foreign language.
Speaking to GB News, the former candidate was shown a clip of supporters alongside the Newham mayoral candidate, Areeq Chowdhury.
In the video, Cllr Chowdhury was seen surrounded by volunteers holding up a Green Party banner.
One of the men with him addressed the camera in a foreign language, most likely Bangla.
Putting this video to Mr Grant, GB News host Charlie Peters asked: “Is that listening to the people or is that engaging in foreign or sectarian politics, making an announcement in a foreign language?”
“I didn't understand a word of what he said,” the Green Party member responded.
“To me, it seems like a poor way of communicating in the UK, where English is our language… I think that's fair to say.
“It does make me a little uncomfortable. I can't deny that… It’s not ideal, that's for sure,” he said.
Green Party memeber John Grant admitted he was 'uncomfortable' with a party announcement being made in a foreign language
|GB NEWS
“There are a lot of people with a second language, but for that to be first delivered in a second language seems odd.”
Mr Grant was speaking as the Green Party scored wins in the local elections, including securing its first mayoral seat in Hackney.
“We've managed to communicate that we are hopeful about the future rather than selling fear, rage and division.
“This idea that maybe we could head forward in a positive way, making the working people's lives a little bit better,” he said.
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He was shown a video supporting Areeq Chowdhury delivered in what appeared to be Bangla
|GB NEWS / X: SIRWG202110
However, Charlie was keen to question Mr Grant on the Green Party’s shift towards “sectarian politics” and concerns over some candidates being suspended over allegations of antisemitism.
He asked: “Do you think that the Green Party is potentially at risk of losing sight of its core message, the environment?”
“You can have a number of central policies,” the Green Party member answered.
“The idea of being ‘anti’ a country does not make you antisemitic. Let's make that absolutely clear,” he stressed.
Charlie Peters challenged Mr Grant on the Green Party's sectarian drift
|GB NEWS
However, the 20-year Green Party veteran accepted there were some issues of note.
“You can't control everybody. And there are extreme people on the left and on the right, which are terrifying. I can't deny it,” he conceded.
Fellow GB News host Dawn Neesom then asked him if such individuals should be expelled from the party.
“If you're antisemitic? Absolutely. If you're acting upon the International Court of Human Rights? Absolutely No.”