Councillor sparks anti-Semitism row by wearing Palestine football shirt in front of two Jewish colleagues at official meeting

A councillor has sparked an anti-Semitism row by wearing a Palestine football shirt at a town hall meeting in full view of his two Jewish colleagues. One said he felt so uncomfortable during proceedings that he left the chamber early. Mark Howell, who sits as an independent for Poole Town, wore the black, green and red shirt with the flag of Palestine to an official Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council meeting on September 30. The commercial lawyer sat immediately in front of two Jewish councillors as they debated lease agreements. Conservative councillor Lawrence Williams labelled Mr Howell's action as 'insulting'. He said: 'He knew exactly what he was doing. It was absolutely shocking and I'm astounded that anybody could be so nasty. 'I'm a longstanding member of the Jewish community, but we were in a BCP meeting, not in the Middle East. 'I didn't want to carry on with him behind me so I left early. I was quite shaken up.' Mark Howell, who sits as an independent for Poole Town, wore a Palestine football shirt to an official Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council meeting Lawrence Williams and Anne Filer, who sat directly behind him (pictured right) said they were left feeling uncomfortable by his choice of attire Mr Howell refused to apologise for wearing the shirt and said 'easily offended' people should not become councillors Fellow Jewish councillor Anne Filer, who also sat directly behind Mr Howell, said the shirt made her feel 'very uncomfortable' - but added that wearing any football shirt at a council meeting was 'entirely inappropriate'. She said: 'It is completely disrespectful to residents and he should know better. 'I don't expect people to turn up in dinner jackets or even suits, but at least dress neutrally, appropriately and sensitively. 'He is entitled to his opinion on Palestine, but we were there to discuss council finances and other local issues. 'This really needs to be taken up by the chairman of the council.' A formal complaint of anti-Semitism against Mr Howell has reportedly been made since the meeting. Bournemouth's Jewish community, which numbers around 1,600, has suffered several anti-Semitic incidents in recent years. In August 2025, a teenage boy walking to the synagogue was shot in the head with an air-rifle. Nazi Swastikas have also been daubed on several homes of Jewish residents. Members of the public criticised Mr Howell's choice of attire on social media. Former police officer Jo Keeling, a community campaigner, said: 'This isn't about taking sides in the conflict or criticising anyone's compassion for civilians. 'It's about the council chamber. Wearing a politically-charged shirt at full council was, in my view, insensitive and out of place. 'Jewish people may have been among those present or watching and for many this is deeply personal. 'We vote for councillors to represent our communities, and that carries a responsibility to behave professionally and consider the impact of their choices. 'The chamber should be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect, so everyone feels represented.' Her views were echoed by others who questioned why a dress code had not been enforced when schoolchildren have to abide by strict criteria. Tracey Bright said: 'Football shirts, political shirts and many more things are not professional for councillors at a meeting. 'So much emphasis is put on school children to wear strict uniforms because it prepares them for a working life and are punished if not.' Glyn Dickinson said: 'There should be a code of conduct relating to what councillors wear at meetings.' But Mr Howell refused to apologise for wearing the shirt and said 'easily offended' people should not become councillors. He added there was no formal dress code, while he considers a suit an 'outfit of the Conservative establishment'. Mr Howell said he wanted to raise awareness of the plight of Palestinians and said a complaint of anti-Semitism which has reportedly been raised against him was an 'outrageous slur'. He said: 'People should not become councillors if they are easily offended. 'There is no dress code in council or any restriction on wearing political clothing or accessories. 'I never wear a suit to council as this is the outfit of the Conservative establishment. 'I did not make a big issue of my shirt in council - indeed, I did not speak at all on the Palestinian issue. 'I have been informed that a councillor has complained, accusing me of antisemitism. That is an outrageous slur. 'All I did was wear a T-shirt supporting the Palestinian state, a status that has now been approved by the British government.' Mr Howell added that he had never raised his beliefs with the two Jewish councillors, although he would be prepared to do so. He said: 'I am aware that there are two Jewish councillors, but I have never raised the issue with them. 'British Jews have a right to keep their opinions to themselves, and it would not be appropriate, and would be potentially anti-Semitic, to engage them in discussion over Israel if they had not chosen to enter the debate. 'Should either of these councillors wish to debate the issue, I would though be prepared to do so. 'Unlike some other councillors, I have not worn any Palestinian clothing in the past because I am not an exhibitionist and because I did not want to be perceived as jumping on a bandwagon.' Mr Howell, a former Mayor of Poole, previously caused controversy after he called for the phasing out of medium and large-sized dogs because of their environmental harm Lawrence Williams and Anne Filer, who are both Jewish, said they were left feeling uncomfortable by Mark Howell's choice of attire Other local residents came to Mr Howell's defence. Jessica Morton said: 'I'm genuinely lost for words that the focus of this discussion is how a T-shirt expressing solidarity with Palestine may 'cause upset' to a couple of people in the room rather than the unimaginable suffering being endured by Palestinian civilians.' Mr Howell, who last year served as Mayor of Poole, previously caused controversy after he effectively called for the phasing out of medium and large-sized dogs because of their harm to the environment. The councillor said in 2022 that large pet owners should consider 'scaling down' and getting smaller dogs in the future. He claimed the methane emissions from dogs like Labradors and German Shepherds were the same as an SUV car and cause serious harm to the planet. BCP Council said it does not enforce a dress code and councillors are allowed to choose their attire at meetings. A spokesperson said: 'There is no specific dress code for councillors attending council meetings. 'Councillors are elected representatives and are responsible for their own choice of attire.' Do YOU have a story? Email [email protected]