AN Essex University lecturer is understood to have been suspended while claims he posted anti-Semitic material on his Facebook account are investigated.

It was one of a series of measures announced by the university’s vice-chancellor Professor Anthony Forster after a row broke out over the creation of a Jewish society at the university.

The national Union of Jewish Students said it was “shocked” after more than 200 students voted against the creation of a Jewish society on campus.

The voting was then deemed “void” before a re-run of the vote was cancelled on Friday and the society automatically ratified.

The Union of Jewish Students also raised concerns about Facebook posts, which are claimed to have come from the account of computer science lecturer Dr Maaruf Ali, which allegedly said “the Zionists next want to create a society here at our university”.

Posts also appeared to have been shared from the account which appeared to deny the Holocaust.

The posts have since been deleted.

In a statement, Prof Forster announced a series of immediate actions including an independent investigation of allegations against “a member of staff” and whilst this takes place the individual has been suspended.

He said: “To see the University of Essex associated with anti-semitism has been a deeply shocking event and one which has filled me with great sadness.

“Anti-semitism is antithetical to the values of the University of Essex and has no place at our university.

“We have a zero tolerance approach to harassment and hate crime which is at the very core of our values and beliefs. We are proud to subscribe to the working definition of antisemitism produced by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

“Recent events have shown me we still have work to do, and I am announcing a series of immediate actions to tackle all forms of antisemitism within our community.”

Prof Forster also said a review would be launched immediately “to ensure we provide unequivocal support to our Jewish students and staff”.

An event will also be held on Thursday at 1pm, in support of the university’s Jewish community, to which staff, students and members of the public are invited.

A university spokesman said: “We expect staff, students and visitors to be treated, and to treat each other, with dignity and respect.”

He added “within the limits of the law” it encouraged students and staff to express views but had “clear guidelines for student and staff conduct and zero tolerance towards harassment or hate crime.”

A joint statement issued by the Essex Political Society Presidents added:

“It should not have come to people branding this university as anti-Semitic for the university to have taken action”.

They added the alleged posts by Dr Ali were “abhorrent” and raise questions about his teaching position at the university.

The Labour Group at Colchester Council also condemned what it called the "anti-Semitic furore" at the university.

In a statement it said it was "appalled and disappointed by the deeply unpleasant display of anti-Semitism by the 200 students at Essex University who voted to oppose the establishment of a Jewish Society on campus, as well as the alleged comments made by an individual lecturer." 

The group added it fully supported the investigation into the matter.

The Gazette tried to contact Dr Ali for comment but he did not respond at the time of going to press.