BARONESS Meyer is facing a three-week suspension from the House of Lords after being found guilty of racial harassment.
The Lords’ Conduct Committee concluded she harassed Lord Dholakia, a peer of Indian origin, by calling him "Lord Poppadom" during a visit to Rwanda in February, the BBC reported.
Lady Meyer initially denied the remark but later admitted it, attributing it to tiredness and having consumed “possibly three glasses of wine.” She has since apologised. The report also noted she touched Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy's hair without permission, which made Ribeiro-Addy feel "extremely uncomfortable."
The investigation found Lady Meyer’s actions breached harassment rules with a racial element. Alongside the suspension, the committee recommended she undertake bespoke behaviour training.
Lord Dholakia did not initially hear the remark, but other members of the delegation, including Ribeiro-Addy, confronted Lady Meyer. Conservative peer Lord Greenhalgh expressed disappointment over her comments, calling them unexpected from a colleague.
Lady Meyer, 71, was appointed to the House of Lords by Theresa May in 2018. She co-founded the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and is the widow of former UK ambassador to the US, Sir Christopher Meyer.
In a separate case, the committee recommended a six-month suspension for Lord Stone of Blackheath for bullying security staff. The former Labour peer was found to have used aggressive language, including calling an officer "thick and stupid."
Lord Stone had previously been sanctioned in 2019 for sexual harassment, losing the Labour whip, the BBC reported.
The report noted a continued pattern of poor behaviour, stating that his inability to treat staff respectfully remains "unacceptable."
Peers are expected to vote on both sanctions early in 2025.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)