‘Being Jewish in UK is getting worse’: Father’s anger after baby’s birth certificate ‘defaced’
The father of a baby whose birth certificate was allegedly defaced to remove reference to Israel has told Sky News his daughter did nothing wrong and being Jewish in the UK is “very hard”.
Israel, the father of five-month-old baby Ronnie – whose certificate was allegedly altered – said the incident needed to be registered and that he would also complain to the police and thinks the person who did it should be sacked.
Israel was speaking to Sky News after the Home Office launched an investigation into the case after it was highlighted by the Campaign Against Antisemitism.
Speaking about the incident, he said: “I don’t think my five-month-old baby did anything wrong to anybody… I felt horrendous when I saw it for the first time.
“It took me a few more times to look at that and understand what’s going on.”
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Referencing a rise in antisemitism in the UK, the father-of-three said: “The situation here is not good. To be Jewish in the UK is very hard. And it’s not getting better, it’s getting worse and worse. I think my daughter, in 20 years, that’s her future, because London is not London any more, and I literally feel unsafe.”
Pic: Family handout
Campaign Against Antisemitism, which exposes cases of antisemitism, said the certificate was sent off as part of a passport application two weeks ago and returned on Monday with the father’s place of birth defaced – something it said was “completely unacceptable”.
In a post on X, the group urged the Home Office to investigate on the grounds the department had “responsibility for law enforcement and the security of the Jewish community”.
Home Secretary James Cleverly replied and said he had asked officials to “investigate this urgently and will see that appropriate action is taken”.
Israel said that while Mr Cleverly’s “very swift” response gave him “hope”, he still feared for Jewish people living in the UK.
He said the government needed to re-vet people working in the public sector and that he did not feel confident sending documents to the Home Office following the incident.
Referring to the person culpable, Israel said he believed they had been “influenced wrongly”.
“You can debate if what Israel is doing is legitimate or not,” he said.
“But firstly you cannot debate if Israel is legitimate as a state or not. Scribbling it out is like saying ‘no, I’m not legitimate’.
“The other thing is, my baby is five months old. What does it have to do with where her father was born? This is horrendous.”
He added: “I just think this…person, immediately needs to be sacked.
“As well, we need to make sure it has been registered somewhere, that people know this guy cannot hold sensitive documents, because he takes his personal actions and he takes his personal political or even racism from home and he’s taking it to work. He gets paid from my taxes.”
The Campaign Against Antisemitism highlighted the case on the same day that policing minister Chris Philp gave a statement in the MPs regarding the rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK last year.
Mr Philp referenced figures published by the Community Security Trust (CST), a charity providing security to Jewish schools and institutions, which revealed more than 4,000 antisemitic incidents were recorded in the UK in 2023.
Mr Philp said the report made for “deeply disturbing reading” and that the figure provided was “the highest annual total” ever reported to the charity.
“There is no excuse for the behaviour outlined in the CST report, or seen in some of the shocking incidents that have occurred recently,” he said.
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“Whenever and wherever criminality involving antisemitism occurs, this government expects police to fully investigate the incident, and work with the Crown Prosecution Service to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The home secretary has asked officials to urgently investigate this matter and appropriate action will be taken.
“While the facts and circumstances are being established, it must be reiterated that this government will not tolerate antisemitism in any form.”
Singer Linda Nolan, who rose to fame alongside her sisters in The Nolans, has died after several years of battling cancer.
The Irish star, 65, and her sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise and Anne, had a run of hits in the late 1970s and ’80s – including the disco classic I’m In The Mood For Dancing.
Paying tribute on The Nolans‘ X account, her sisters described her as “a pop icon and beacon of hope”, who “faced incurable cancer with courage, grace and determination, inspiring millions”.
Linda died peacefully in hospital this morning, “embraced with love and comfort” with her siblings by her side, her agent Dermot McNamara said in a statement.
“As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved global success; becoming the first Irish act to sell over a million records worldwide, touring the world and selling over 30 million records,” he said.
“Her distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence brought joy to fans around the world, securing her place as an icon of British and Irish entertainment.”
As well as her TV and musical career, Linda helped to raise more than £20 million for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society, Samaritans and others.
“Her selflessness and tireless commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will forever be a cornerstone of her legacy,” Mr McNamara said.
Five of the Nolans in 1983 (L-R): Linda, Anne, Bernie, Coleen and Maureen. Pic: PA
Linda’s death came after she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia over the weekend. She began receiving end-of-life care after slipping into a coma on Tuesday.
Details of a celebration of the star’s “remarkable life” will be shared in due course.
Linda was born to Tommy and Maureen Nolan in Dublin on 23 February 1959, the sixth of eight children.
Her parents were both singers and keen to turn their young family into a musical troupe. Linda made her stage debut aged just four.
Those early years put the siblings on track for a career in show business which lasted for decades. As well as I’m In The Mood For Dancing, The Nolans had hits with Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention To Me and Don’t Make Waves, and they also had their own TV specials.
At their height, they toured with Frank Sinatra and were reported to have outsold The Beatles in Japan.
Linda left the group in 1983, but later reformed with her sisters for several comeback performances. She also became known for musical theatre, most notably performing the role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers for three years from 2000.
L-R: Bernie, Denise, Linda (top), Anne and Maureen Nolan pictured in 1975, before youngest sister Coleen joined the group
Four siblings struck by cancer
Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, and underwent a mastectomy two days before her 47th birthday.
After being given the all-clear in 2011, in 2017 she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. Three years later, Linda and Anne together revealed they were being treated for cancer once again.
The sisters were diagnosed with different forms of the disease just days apart after they returned home from filming a series of their show, The Nolans Go Cruising. Linda had cancer of the liver, while Anne had breast cancer.
The star, pictured last year, had battled cancer for several years. Pic: Shutterstock
They went on to write Stronger Together, an account of their journey that included frank details of their treatments and the side effects.
But in 2023, Linda revealed the cancer had spread to her brain and she was beginning treatment as part of a new drug trial.
The Nolans lost their second-youngest sister, Bernie, to cancer in 2013, aged 52.
Loose Women star Coleen Nolan also revealed she was diagnosed with skin cancer last year, and said she was using a chemotherapy cream to remove it.
Linda’s husband of 26 years, Brian Hudson, died in 2007 after being diagnosed with skin cancer.
Anne Nolan is now cancer-free.
Tributes to star ‘who was always a joy’
TV star and singer Cheryl Baker and comedian Tommy Cannon are among those who have paid tribute.
“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Linda Nolan,” Cannon wrote on X. “I had the pleasure of working with her on so many occasions, and she was always a joy – full of warmth and love. My thoughts and love are with the Nolan girls and the whole family.”
“The most incredible voice, the wickedest sense of humour, such a massive talent,” Baker wrote. “You’re with Brian now, Lin.”
Loose Women also sent its love to her family. Linda appeared as a guest panellist on the ITV chat show over the years, alongside her sister Coleen.
The Blackpool Grand Theatre described her as “a true Blackpool icon”.
A 20-year-old trainee gas engineer who won £7.5m says he was back working on blocked drains the day after claiming his cash.
James Clarkson, 20, from Carlisle, Cumbria, found out he’d hit the £7,533,329 National Lottery jackpot on 4 January – but said he has no plans to quit his job.
“I was out in the cold fixing blocked drains the day after I found out I had won,” he said.
“It was a bit grim but that’s reality.
“I’m not going to stop working, I’m too young,” he added, admitting he knew it might sound “mad” to some.
“I want to qualify as a heating engineer and then go from there.
“I need to have a purpose in life, plus dad wouldn’t let me not work anyway. He says there are plenty of millionaires out there that still work and you need a reason to get up each day.”
Mr Clarkson celebrating with his family. Pic: PA
Mr Clarkson added he still planned to have “some nice holidays” in between working, and revealed one of his first purchases was an all-inclusive luxury break to Cape Verde, along with a few designer items including a Gucci bag for his girlfriend and two new jackets for himself.
He said he also planned to splash out on a new car, possibly an Audi – but for now, he’s got his work van.
“If you drive a cold work van all day, going from job to job, you’d understand,” he said.
“The comfort, the steering, the heated seats. I realise how jammy that sounds, not many people my age can afford the car insurance let alone a car like that to drive.”
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As a huge Manchester City fan, he said he was also looking to buy a season ticket at the Etihad Stadium, as well as taking care of his extended family – starting with paying off his parents’ mortgage.
The new multi-millionaire holds up bespoke Manchester City kit celebrating his win. Pic: PA
He said: “I’ve been thinking about it a lot, it’s what I want to do. I told them last night and they seemed really overwhelmed.
“We are close and they have always been there for me. This win isn’t just for me, I want to make sure we all benefit.”
Mr Clarkson played on the National Lottery app, choosing his winning numbers – 16, 19, 22, 24, 27 and 35 – at random.
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