Starmer row deepens as Greens seek apology over threats

Published: 05 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The Starmer row surrounding comments about a senior Green politician has intensified after fresh details emerged. Mothin Ali, deputy leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, has demanded an apology from Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He says remarks made in Parliament fuelled false claims that placed him and his family in danger.

Ali has described feeling frightened after receiving a series of racist death threats. Several threatening messages seen by national media included warnings such as “we know where to find you”. Another message told him to “pack your bags before it’s too late”. He believes the threats escalated after his appearance at a weekend anti-war protest in central London.

The demonstration took place in Parliament Square and drew a range of campaigners. Organisers said the rally opposed recent military action involving the United States and Israel against Iran. However, some commentators portrayed the gathering as supportive of the Iranian regime. That description was strongly rejected by organisers and many who attended.

The controversy reached the Commons on Monday when Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke raised the issue. He told Parliament he was appalled to see the Green deputy leader “protesting in support of the ayatollah”. In response, Starmer said many were shocked by the actions of the Green Party deputy leader. He added that the party had recently taken a troubling direction.

Those remarks were made under parliamentary privilege, which protects statements made in the Commons. Ali argues that such comments lent weight to misleading narratives circulating online. He insists he attended the protest as an anti-war activist, not as a supporter of Iran’s leadership. He said he has long campaigned against military interventions, including those backed by British governments.

Speaking about the threats, Ali said the situation felt increasingly dangerous. He explained that abuse had reached a point where he feared for his safety. He said the impact extended beyond him to his family and colleagues. The emotional toll, he suggested, has made it harder to focus on community work.

The Starmer row has also drawn intervention from within Parliament. Ellie Chowns defended her colleague during the same Commons session. She accused Shelbrooke of attacking Ali’s reputation without evidence. Chowns said Ali attended a protest organised by established anti-war groups, consistent with his principles.

The rally was supported by the Stop the War Coalition and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. It was also backed by the Campaign Against Sanctions, Military and Imperial Interventions. Its founder, Prof Abbas Edalat, stated clearly that the central message opposed what organisers called illegal attacks on Iran. He said the event brought together people with different views about Iran’s domestic politics.

Photographs and videos from the day show a mixture of banners and placards. A small number featured images of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei alongside political slogans. Those placards were linked to the Islamic Human Rights Commission, which has previously expressed support for Iran’s government. Yet most signs focused on anti-war messaging and criticism of Western foreign policy.

Some protesters carried Iranian flags, while others displayed banners from women’s groups and Jewish solidarity networks. Chants criticising the Labour Party’s foreign policy could be heard across the square. Organisers maintain that the demonstration opposed military escalation rather than endorsing any regime. They argue that conflating anti-war activism with support for authoritarianism is misleading.

Ali believes the Starmer row has political undertones beyond the protest itself. He pointed to a recent by-election victory in Greater Manchester. The Greens celebrated a significant breakthrough when Hannah Spencer secured a seat previously held by Labour. Ali suggested that heightened rhetoric followed that electoral upset.

The Prime Minister’s office has not issued a formal apology. Nor has Shelbrooke retracted his remarks. Both have been approached for further comment. Downing Street sources indicated that concerns about extremism remain a serious matter. However, they did not provide specific evidence linking Ali to pro-regime activism.

Ali has faced hostility before entering national headlines. After his election to Leeds City Council in 2024, he ended a speech with the phrase “Allahu Akbar”. Far-right figures circulated clips online, claiming the words signalled extremism. Ali later explained the phrase simply means “God is great” and is commonly used in Muslim prayers.

Among those amplifying accusations at the time was Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Online posts falsely alleged that Ali had supported unrest in his local ward. In reality, witnesses said he stood between police and residents to calm tensions. The episode deepened concerns about misinformation targeting minority politicians.

The latest threats have revived those fears. Ali recounted being followed near Earl’s Court underground station by a man who threatened violence. He said his hand shook as he tried to record the incident. The individual reportedly left when he realised he was being filmed. Police have been informed about the abuse.

Community leaders in Leeds and beyond have expressed solidarity with Ali. They argue that democratic debate must not spill into intimidation. Several have urged politicians to take greater care with language used in Parliament. They warn that heated rhetoric can inflame online hostility.

The Starmer row highlights broader tensions over Britain’s stance on Middle East conflicts. Critics of the government say allowing US forces to use UK bases implicates Britain in escalation. Ministers respond that cooperation with allies remains vital for national security. The debate has sharpened divisions across party lines.

Political analysts note that parliamentary privilege complicates disputes of this nature. While it protects free speech, it can leave those criticised with limited recourse. Some legal experts suggest reputational harm may still be addressed outside Parliament. Others caution against curbing robust debate within the Commons.

Ali maintains that his activism is rooted in opposition to war and support for diplomacy. He rejects antisemitism and says attempts to link him with it are unfounded. He emphasised that Jewish groups were present at the protest, demonstrating its broad coalition. For him, the central issue is preventing further violence abroad.

The Starmer row may yet have electoral consequences. The Green Party has sought to position itself as a consistent anti-war voice. Labour, under Starmer’s leadership, has prioritised distancing itself from factions associated with previous controversies. How voters interpret this clash could shape future contests.

For now, Ali says he wants an apology and a correction of the record. He believes that acknowledging the error would help reduce hostility. Whether that will happen remains uncertain. What is clear is that political language carries weight beyond the chamber walls.

As threats continue to circulate online, calls for calm have grown louder. Campaigners stress the importance of verifying claims before sharing them. The episode serves as a reminder that misinformation can have real-world consequences. In a tense political climate, responsible leadership matters more than ever.

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