Tory chairman Richard Holden sparked disbelief as he tried to defend a misleading video of Sadiq Khan.
The Conservatives’ official account on X (formerly Twitter) posted the clip after the London mayor appeared on Sky News yesterday.
Referring to the row involving anti-Israel comments made by Labour’s candidate in the Rochdale by-election, Khan said: “As far as I’m concerned, that sort of language isn’t acceptable, and it certainly shouldn’t be acceptable in a party like mine, that is proud to be both anti-racist and anti-Semitic.”
He quickly corrected himself, adding: “I beg your pardon, tackling anti-Semitism.”
But the Tory video edited the footage so it did not include the mayor’s correction - prompting Khan to accuse them of being “in the gutter”.
On Times Radio this morning, Holden was grilled on the misleading post by presenter Calum Macdonald, who said: “I’ve asked you about the editing of a video that you’ve published.
“It is misinformation. It portrays something inaccurate to people online.”
Holden replied: “It highlights an issue of anti-Semitism at the heart of the Labour Party. And it’s not been edited, it’s been clipped.”
A clearly-stunned Macdonald replied: “That’s exactly the same thing.”
The Tory chairman responded: “No, it’s actually quite different.”
Laughing, the presenter then said: “I work in audio production, Mr Holden.”
The MP replied: “Well I think we both know the difference between editing something to misconstrue it or clipping something.”
“It's not been edited. It was clipped.”
— Times Radio (@TimesRadio) February 16, 2024
Chair of the Conservative Party Richard Holden defends the use of a “clipped” video of Sadiq Khan on the party’s social media.@CalumAM | @RicHolden | #TimesRadiopic.twitter.com/QKS2iQVjHX
Leading Tories are among those who have condemned the misleading post.
They include government minister Kevin Hollinrake, who told BBC’s Newsnight programme it was “not something I would have done”.
"It's not something I'd have done,"
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) February 15, 2024
Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake says he has "no idea" why the Conservative Party tweeted out a clip of Sadiq Khan mistakingly calling Labour antisemitic. The clip was cut short and did not include Mr Khan correcting his slip-up. #Newsnightpic.twitter.com/1uRMldiJmM
