Shaw Trust opens investigation after worker allegedly tells Jewish man at party “The 1940s called…your shower’s ready”
A leading learning disability and mental health charity has opened an investigation after one of its employees reportedly posted on Facebook an account of how she told a Jewish man: “The 40s called…your shower’s ready”, according to controversial anti-racism group Hope Not Hate.
Julie Brownlee, from Lowestoft, allegedly made the comment, an apparent reference to Nazi gas chambers which were sometimes disguised as showers, to the man, whom she also referred to as a “Jwish [sic] prick” on social media, at a Christmas party in response to him criticising her shirt.
In reply to Ms Brownlee’s Facebook post, former National Front activist, Paul Warburton, replied: “Fire up the ovens”.
Ms Brownlee’s role involves helping people with disabilities and learning difficulties to find employment and independent living. Those she helps would have been murdered under Nazi Germany’s programme to kill those with certain disabilities.
As well as posting her outrageous, antisemitic comments, Ms Brownlee also posted asking for party game ideas for the adults with learning disabilities whom she was assisting. The post attracted some appalling replies which Ms Brownlee commented would not “go down well with the powers that be”.
Ms Brownlee has apparently been associated with far-right groups for some time, including the South East Alliance, North East Infidels, Bishop Auckland against Islam, North West Infidels and the Scottish Defence League. She has reportedly not just attended events organised by these groups but spoken at them. According to Hope Not Hate, she was also expelled from the UK Independence Party for “associating with the English Defence League”.
A spokesperson for Shaw Trust told us: “We are treating these allegations extremely seriously, and our HR team are investigating the allegations fully.”