Liz Truss comments woke public service 'strays into anti-Semitism' condemned as 'abhorrent'

Tory leadership favorite Liz Truss' wish , to tackle a “revival” civil service culture that “strays into anti-Semitism” has been strongly condemned by government staff and union leaders.

The organization of the FDA representing officials said the 'inflammatory' comments were 'insulting and hateful' - saying they 'go further than the usual dog whistle politics' of the Conservative leadership election. p>

The Truss Campaign released a press release on Friday that said it would "change the culture of the woke public service that strays into anti-Semitism." Ms Truss said the culture was "not set in stone, it can be changed".

The Foreign Secretary also seemed to suggest a reluctance to support Israel among some Whitehall staff. “I have been very clear with our officials about the positions we take on Israel, and that will continue if I become prime minister,” she said.

In response, the secretary general of FDA's Dave Penman said Truss had provided "no evidence for his charge that many officials will find both insulting and abhorrent".

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Mr. Penman added, "A prime minister is also a minister for the public service, and to make such baseless inflammatory accusations exemplifies a lack of leadership, the very thing she claims to manifest."

Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union, which also represents civil servants, challenged Ms Truss to provide examples of anti-Semitism. "If there's evidence, they should release it," he said.

The FDA and Prospect are joining forces on...