CUMBRIA County Council has agreed to adopt a widely recognised definition of antisemitism.

The proposal was made by Cllr Chris Whiteside who said councils around the country had been encouraged to adopt the policy as set out by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

Cllr Whiteside (Con, Egremont North and St Bees) said the rise in antisemitism in Britain had been “alarming”.

He said the Government, European Union, Crown Prosecution Service and more than 130 local councils had adopted the definition.

“None of us can afford to be complacent about antisemitism or indeed any form of racism,” he told a meeting of the full council sitting in Kendal on Thursday.

“There are other forms of racism such as prejudice against Muslims which we must also be concerned and this motion is not meant to deny that,” said Cllr Whiteside.

Barrow councillor Sol Wielkopolski (Con, Newbarns and Parkside) held up a  book dating from 1943 which he said he had discovered while studying history.

He called it “nasty vile Nazi propaganda” and said it was a “story of evil mixed with innocence”.

“In the fight against antisemitism we must stand firm, united and skilled in guarding against it,” said Cllr Wielkopolski.

Cllr Neil Hughes (Lib Dem, Eden Lakes) said the county council deplored any form of fascism, extremism or racism. It stood for tolerance and co-operation, he said.

“Although in relatively small numbers, Cumbria has had a small influx of migrants from Europe and different parts of the world and I am proud of the welcome communities right across the county have given,” said Cllr Hughes.

The motion to adopt the definition was agreed.