Cape Breton candidate responds to post

SYDNEY — A Cape Breton candidate running in next month's provincial election feels he's being “discredited” after a 12-year-old social media post surfaced showing him adorning a moustache which one commenter alluded to as resembling an infamous Nazi leader.

A Twitter feed called Nova Scotia Political News on Wednesday posted a picture of John John Mccarthy, running as a Liberal candidate in the riding of Glace Baydominion, that appeared on a Facebook post from 2009.

The caption that went with Nova Scotia Political News reads, “The Glace Bay Liberal (sic) candidate, John John Mccarthy, shared a photo of himself with a moustache styled after Adolf Hitler, as recognized by one of the comments on it that says, ‘Heil Mccarthy.' This was shared by a voter concerned about anti-semitism in the party.”

The post prompted at least one vocal reply from the Halifax-based Atlantic Jewish Council. “Today as the federal government convenes a National Summit on Anti-semitism, we are deeply troubled by this overt display of racism against Jews. We call on the @Liberalpartyns to take immediate action,” the AJC tweeted on Wednesday.

The Cape Breton Post reached out to the Mccarthy campaign for a response. In an email, Katherine Snow, communications co-ordinator for the Glace Bay-dominion Liberal campaign, deferred to Mccarthy's Twitter feed for his statement.

“This was actually from a Charlie Chaplin impersonation — and was more than 12 years ago,” the tweet read. “It's really unfortunate that others will go to such great lengths in an attempt to discredit the people who put themselves out there to run for public office.

“In 2009, I shaved my beard, but before I shaved the moustache, I posted a picture. I never commented or wrote anything. Someone posted an anti-semitic comment — I did not, and anyone who knows me, knows I wouldn't do that. If the picture I posted offended anyone — I am sorry.

“I regret that this has been taken out of context — and I'm upset this is being reposted now. I don't who did this or why, but to suggest that I am anti-semitic is simply false. Anti-semitism has no place in our society.

"If elected, I would work to counter anti-semitism and all other forms of hate.”

That appeared to satisfy the AJC, according to a later post: “We take note of Mr. Mccarthy's explanation of the intent behind the photo and acknowledge his unequivocal rejection of anti-semitism.”

The Post reached out to Nova Scotia Political News for comment but has yet to hear back by press time.

Mccarthy, along with John White (Progressive Conservative) and former Cape Breton Regional Municipality mayor John Morgan (NDP), will be vying for a legislative seat for the Aug. 17 election.