Greens deputy leader Mothin Ali sparks fury by attending pro-Iran regime rally
Michael D. Carroll and Tom Kershaw Content Editor
08:45, 03 Mar 2026Updated 08:47, 03 Mar 2026
The protest took place in London on Saturday(Image: Getty)
A Leeds councillor for Harehills and Green Party’s deputy leader Mothin Ali has sparked political fury after being photographed at a London demonstration supportive of the Iranian regime during a weekend of escalating Middle East tensions.
The rally coincided with joint US and Israeli strikes against Iran – and came on the same evening separate gatherings in the capital marked the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Images from the protest showed crowds waving pro-regime flags and chanting “Death to America” and “Khamenei, you make us proud”. Footage also appeared to show an American flag being set alight, along with the lion and sun banner linked to Iranian opposition movements.
Placards accused the US and Israel of “terrorism” and urged onlookers to “choose the right side of history”. Mr Ali’s attendance triggered a fierce reaction in Westminster, reports The Express.
Addressing MPs, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the actions of the Green deputy leader had “shocked us all” – adding that he was “not surprised given their recent turn of direction”.
He went further, criticising the party’s wider foreign policy stance: “I have to say, the argument that the Green Party makes that now is the time to get out of Nato and negotiate with Putin over our nuclear weapons is contrary to the British national interest.”
Mothin Ali, the Green Party’s deputy leader, was photographed at a pro-Iran London demonstration(Image: Getty)
Alec Shelbrooke, Conservative MP for Wetherby & Easingwold, told the Commons he was “appalled, but I’m afraid, not shocked” by the Leeds City councillor’s presence.
Raising the matter directly with the Prime Minister, Sir Alec asked whether he shared his anger at the “deputy leader of the Green Party at the weekend protesting in support of the Ayatollah.” He added: “I’m afraid that the Green Party has become a magnet for all of the people that he quite rightly kicked out of the Labour Party.
“The hatred and the fear that runs through Leeds now, being whipped up at times by Councillor Mothin, is a disgrace.” Green MP Ellie Chowns later mounted a defence of her colleague, accusing Sir Alec of “attacking the reputation” of Mr Ali, states the report.
“(Mothin) Ali attended a CND stop the war anti-war protest in support of his principles of being anti-war and pro democracy and diplomacy,” she said. Ms Chowns also made clear the party views the US and Israeli military action as an “illegal war” that is “not making the world a safer place”.
Did you know you can make LeedsLive a preferred source of Leeds news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here
Former security minister Tom Tugendhat responded with sharp criticism, accusing the Greens of siding “with those who murder young Iranians seeking a better life and freedom”.
The march was listed as being organised in part by the Islamic Human Rights Commission, which William Shawcross’s 2023 Prevent review described as “an Islamist group ideologically aligned with the Iranian regime”.
Following the death of Ayatollah Khamenei, the group issued a statement hailing him as “a rare role model” who had “resisted oppression and stood on the right side of history.”
The episode has intensified scrutiny of the Green Party’s foreign policy stance, with opponents arguing the weekend’s events have deepened concerns over its direction at a time of mounting global instability.
Mr Ali has been asked to comment through the Green Party press office by the Express.
Get breaking news in Leeds straight to your phone
Get all the latest big and breaking Leeds news straight to your mobile via WhatsApp by clicking here.
If you don’t like our community, you can leave any time. We also treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Read our privacy notice here.
