Dr. Bharat Pankhania, the former Mayor of Bath, has announced his resignation as a councillor, three months after sharing controversial posts on X (formerly Twitter) that questioned the veracity of an arson attack targeting ambulances operated by a Jewish charity.
In March, Dr. Pankhania stepped down from his ceremonial role as Mayor of Bath after reposting a message implying that the fire attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green was an “Israeli false flag” operation and suggesting the incident was insurance fraud. Now, he has decided to resign from his position as a councillor representing Combe Down, a role he has held since 2019.
Addressing the Bath and North East Somerset Council, Dr. Pankhania said, “This has not been an easy decision, but I need to prioritize my health and wellbeing.” He expressed regret over his actions, emphasizing, “Like all of us, I am human and capable of making mistakes. I shared a social media message before fully understanding its implications. I am sorry for that and wish I hadn’t.”
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Acknowledging the distress caused, he added, “My actions caused concern and offence. I listened, reflected, and took responsibility. I regret the distraction this brought to the council and stepped down as mayor when it became clear it was the right thing to do.”
Dr. Pankhania reaffirmed his commitment to public service, stating, “Serving the public has always been a privilege. Throughout my time as councillor, deputy mayor, and mayor, I aimed to serve with integrity, respect, and dedication to improving our city.”
His announcement sparked strong reactions; three councillors left the chamber before his statement began. Notably, Dr. Pankhania was the 798th mayor of Bath and the first to resign from the position since 1937.
Following the controversy, he was suspended from the Liberal Democrats and left the party in March alongside his resignation as mayor. Official resignation from the council requires submitting a letter to the council’s chief executive and would likely trigger a by-election later this summer. The victor of this short-term seat would serve until the next full local elections on May 6, 2027.
In related developments, five individuals have been charged in connection with the counter-terrorism investigation into the March arson attack on the Hatzola ambulances. The trial is scheduled for January 2027. Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service established in London, provides emergency help to all residents within its area regardless of religious background.
Dr. Pankhania initially issued an apology on X, stating: “I reposted or replied to posts that never reflected my values and beliefs, and are abhorrent. I deeply apologise for not upholding the standards I set myself and have deleted those posts.”
He later told SomersetLive, “I am very sorry and upset. I made a mistake by retweeting without realizing it was seen as endorsement. There is no hatred toward people or religions — it was a pure mistake, which is why I immediately apologised and removed my retweets.”