A newly elected Muslim Green Party councillor in Leeds has issued a formal apology for any "upset caused" following a viral victory speech in which he chanted "Allahu Akbar" and dedicated his electoral success to the people of Palestine. The speech, delivered shortly after local election results were announced on May 3, immediately ignited a ferocious right-wing backlash across mainstream media and social platforms, while also prompting formal complaints and a party investigation.
Mothin Ali, a 42-year-old accountant, father of three, and local gardening blogger, secured his seat representing the Gipton and Harehills ward in Leeds after garnering more than 3,000 votes. However, the celebrations surrounding his democratic victory were quickly overshadowed by national controversy. As captured in widely shared video footage, Mr Ali used his brief acceptance speech to praise Allah and make a passionate commitment to international advocacy.
"We will not be silenced. We will raise the voice of Gaza. We will raise the voice of Palestine," Mr Ali told the cheering crowd of supporters, many of whom were visibly moved and joined in celebrating the milestone.
In the days that followed, however, the tone of public discourse shifted dramatically. Mr Ali found himself at the center of a severe media storm, with right-wing commentators, political figures, and local community groups swiftly condemning his remarks and the manner of his celebration. In response to the mounting pressure, hate, and hostility, the Green Party launched a formal investigation into the councillor, leading Mr Ali to temporarily deactivate his X account and restrict direct messaging features across his remaining social media channels.
Seeking to address the controversy, Mr Ali released a comprehensive statement via the official Leeds Green Party website, expressing deep regret for the friction caused by his public comments concerning the ongoing Gaza conflict.
"I am sorry for any upset my comments caused about the Gaza conflict. That was not my intention," Mr Ali stated in his release. "Like many across the world I have been deeply impacted by the dreadful conflict currently underway in Gaza. The International Court of Justice said this conflict meets the case for plausible genocide."
He further clarified his stance on violence and international diplomacy, emphasizing a desire for peaceful resolution rather than further escalation. "I do not support violence on either side: violence leads to more violence and this is what I have tried to convey. I have consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and a release of all hostages. I hope to be working with a broad coalition including both the Jewish and Muslim Greens soon to discuss sensible ways for us to work on communicating our shared passion of bringing the conflict to an end."
Addressing the specific religious elements of his celebration that drew criticism from political opponents and commentators, Mr Ali noted that using the phrase "Allahu Akbar"—which translates to "God is the greatest"—is entirely normal for individuals of the Islamic faith when expressing gratitude and celebration. He argued that attempts by critics to misrepresent this traditional religious expression pointed directly toward underlying Islamophobia.
While the primary focus of the apology centered on the broader discourse surrounding the Gaza conflict, it remains unclear precisely which Palestine-related statements Mr Ali was addressing. Observers noted that the apology coincided with the resurfacing of older social media posts and past public remarks highlighted in an investigative article published by a pro-Israel news site.
According to that reporting, Mr Ali published a post on X on October 7 expressing the sentiment that white supremacist European settler colonialism must come to an end. In subsequent videos recorded and posted online following the outbreak of hostilities, the newly elected accountant argued that Israel would utilize the pretext of the armed resistance by Hamas fighters to launch large-scale military assaults against the Gaza Strip.
In those video clips, Mr Ali asserted that observers should support the rights of indigenous populations to engage in resistance. "They are not victims, they are occupiers, they are colonialists, they are European colonialists," he claimed in the footage, adding that Israel represents one of the final European colonies globally. He further alleged that accusations of antisemitism are frequently weaponized to shield the state from legitimate criticism. "Every single person, every single people have a right to fight back, every single people have a right to live free of occupiers. That includes people who are brown, that includes people who are Muslim, that includes people who are Arab. Just because they are brown and Arab doesn’t mean they don’t have a right to fight back."
The viral nature of his election victory speech and the subsequent resurfacing of these prior remarks triggered swift, high-profile condemnations from conservative media personalities and political figures across the United Kingdom.
Appearing on Talk TV, journalist and commentator Trevor Kavanagh sharply criticized the video footage during a broadcast, telling viewers, "It was really unpleasant seeing someone angrily shouting in the name of Allah… this is a very sinister development for British democracy!"
Similarly, Reform UK leader and GB News presenter Nigel Farage took to social media to voice his disapproval. Posting on X, Mr Farage wrote: "There have been no democratic elections in Gaza for nearly 20 years, yet Gaza is being voted on in English towns and cities. What a mess we have allowed ourselves to become."
The backlash extended beyond media commentators and into organized community leadership. The Leeds Jewish Representative Council submitted an extensive, formal letter addressed directly to the leadership of the Green Party, urging them to suspend Mr Ali immediately. The council argued that the councillor’s acceptance speech represented the culmination of a substantial history of public positions and views that deeply concerned the local Jewish community.
Facing intense public scrutiny, internal party inquiries, and a barrage of online hostility since his victory video spread globally, Mr Ali has chosen to step back from some aspects of public digital engagement while attempting to chart a path forward through dialogue and coalition-building within his party and local community networks.