London - Mayor Livingstone Cleared Of Anti-Semitism

London - Mayor Ken Livingstone was cleared of anti-Semitism by an official investigation launched after he told two Jewish businessmen to "go back to Iran and try their luck with the ayatollahs". Mr Livingstone's jibe was directed at billionaire brothers David and Simon Reuben at a City Hall press conference on March 21 during a row over the redevelopment of the Olympics 2012 site in east London, as reported at that time on VOS IZ NEIAS.

A member of the public complained to the local government watchdog, the Standards Board for England, which referred the matter to the Greater London Authority's monitoring officer for an investigation which could have led to a three-month suspension for the Mayor.

But they found no evidence of anti-Semitism, racism or malice and ruled that Livingstone did not breach the GLA's Code of Conduct or bring his office into disrepute.