Council denies claim chief called property agent a 'massive Jewish b***end'

Manchester council has denied claims that its chief executive called a property agent a 'massive Jewish b***end'.

Joanne Roney CBE, who is leaving the town hall in Septemberto run Birmingham council, has been accused of using the antisemitic slur to describe property agent Ben Rose. Mr Rose, who represents Orthodox Jewish landowners Weis Group, is not Jewish himself.

The property investors, who own prime sites across the city centre, are currently suing the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) over multi-million pound loans given to skyscraper tycoons Renaker. They also took Manchester council to court last year.

READ MORE: Manchester council chief executive Joanne Roney set to leave town hall

Now, Mr Rose is taking the council to court himself, claiming for damages and unlawful discrimination. The Manchester Evening News understands that the claim relates to a lunch in 2022 where Mr Rose was said to have been described as a 'massive Jewish b***end'.

It was later alleged that Ms Roney had used the phrase herself. The local authority investigated the allegation, but Mr Rose claims that this investigation was 'far from adequate' and, earlier this year, filed a legal claim against Manchester council and its chief executive.

A Manchester council spokesperson said: "We are aware that a claim has been issued and it has been robustly defended. The allegation is denied and it would be inappropriate to comment further pending the determination of the action."

When approached by the M.E.N., Mr Rose - who is a partner at property consultants Rose Realty - said: "As the victim of an antisemitic slur allegedly made by a senior officer of Manchester Council, and as confirmed to me in writing, I felt I had no choice but to