Call for enquiry after Somerset Council’s apology to Elbit UK

At a full council meeting last month councillors voted to “explore ways of legally evicting” Elbit Systems UK, which according to Palestine Action activists could be providing weapons to the Israeli Defence Forces.

An Elbit Systems UK spokesperson denied the activists' claims.

Graffiti, and a Palestinian flag, also appeared on the council building (Image: Palestine Action)

The council motion included a statement that “the tenant Elbit UK [is] a major UK-based provider of weapons to the Israeli Defence Forces, used in the current Gaza catastrophe".

The apology was issued on Friday, April 26, after Elbit Systems UK informed the authority that the statement was factually incorrect: "Elbit Systems UK Limited have contacted us to say this is factually incorrect and they do not supply weapons or military equipment to the Israeli Defence Forces or the Israeli Ministry of Defence.

"The council would like to apologise and withdraw the statement that Elbit Systems UK Limited supplies military equipment to the Israeli Defence Forces or the Israeli Ministry of Defence."

An Elbit Systems UK spokesperson said: "We continue to invest and expand our range of services in the United Kingdom, providing critical support and advanced technology to the British armed forces from Aztec West 600 and other sites across the country."

Somerset Conservatives said: “Following the motion passed at full council (23/04/24), Somerset Council have now been forced to apologise to Elbit Systems UK Limited.

“It is understood that this apology and subsequent withdrawal is as a direct result of Elbit Systems contacting the council to inform that it is ‘factually incorrect…[to say that they] supply weapons or military equipment to the Israeli Defence Forces or the Israeli Ministry of Defence’.

“Somerset Council is currently in a 'financial emergency' with an expected £100m funding gap predicted for 2024/25 and is currently negotiating with the Government to raise council tax by 9.99 per cent while still cutting essential services.”

A Conservative source added: “The Lib Dems on Somerset have bowed down to mob rule, allowing the unelected and undemocratic Palestine Action group to dictate their policies, the result is clear.

“Instead of pretending to be the UN, the Somerset Lib Dems should focus on delivering basic services for local people.”

Bill Revans, leader of Somerset Council (Image: Contributed)

Bill Revans, leader of Somerset Council, said: “The motion passed by the full council on the council’s legacy investment in Aztec West was proposed by a Labour Party councillor and seconded by a Green Party councillor and Councillors from all parties supported it, including Conservative councillors.

“To clarify - this was not a proposal from the LibDem administration, but it is in line with decisions taken previously by the relevant Executive Sub-committee.

“We were subsequently informed that the motion contained an inaccuracy that had not been spotted prior to the meeting.

“Somerset Council has apologised for this. It is reviewing procedures so this should not reoccur.

“Nevertheless, many residents have expressed concern that the council has a wholly owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems as a tenant, given the situation in Gaza.

“We will continue to seek ways to step away from this investment.”

“The investment is a legacy from Sedgemoor District Council when it was run by the Conservatives.

“I opposed it as an opposition councillor at the time. The Conservatives ignored the advice that this was a politically controversial investment that could potentially bring the council into disrepute.”

“The vast majority of people who are upset by the tragic events in Gaza and more generally in the current conflict in the Middle East do not commit acts of vandalism or disorder and it is disappointing that the Conservatives characterise this concern as mob rule.”

The first graffiti and red paint appeared on the County Hall in March (Image: Newsquest)

The Somerset County Gazette contacted Elbit UK to clarify whether the latter is part of the main Elbit company but at the time of going to press they had not replied to that question.

Somerset Conservatives also added: “We are calling for an urgent review of processes for council motions in the future and an independent inquiry as to how such a massive mistake could have been made.

“We are also calling for Somerset Council to publish all documents and correspondence that relate to this significant error.

“The question has to be answered – how were members of the council encouraged to vote on a motion that would need to be publicly apologised for within a matter of days?

“The public needs to be able to trust the decisions their councillors make are both safe and legal.

“Councillors need to know they can rely on the legal advice and guidance they receive from council officers.

“The inquiry must happen, and answers must be publicly shared with local people.”

The County Gazette contacted the Lib Dem for further comments.