The Conservative Party will not discipline a parish councillor who appeared to show support for violence against public figures who condemned the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

Conservative Neil Cohen, of Buckhurst Hill Parish Council, has apologised for his response to abusive comments made by his friend Neil Wiseman on Facebook, which directed abuse and advocated violence to Labour leader Ed Milliband and comedian Russell Brand.  

A Conservative Party spokeswoman said: “It is absolutely right that Cllr Neil Cohen has issued an unreserved apology for these offensive and unacceptable comments.”

Cllr Wiseman ‘liked’ an abusive comment on the public page of a friend, Neil Wiseman, who “hoped” for the “long and painful" beheading of Labour leader, Ed Miliband, who has described Israeli military action as disproportionate.

Cllr Cohen also responded to a comment by the same poster, who said it was a shame that comedian Russell Brand had not overdosed by sticking needles “into his anti-Israel, Arab sympathising F***ing junkie arms”.

In reply, Cllr Cohen wrote “scum”.

Mr Brand has recently criticised the coverage of the conflict by Fox News in the US.

Cllr Cohen responded with “LOL” (laugh out loud) when Mr Wiseman said Labour MP Emily Thornberry “deserved a lethal dose of heroin”.  

Cllr Cohen replied “utter scum”.

Chairman of Buckhurst Hill Parish Council, Aniket Patel, said: "Neil has made these comments in a personal capacity and not as a parish councillor.

"I have spoken to him with regards to the matter which he accepts was inappropriate."

Fellow parish councillors Haluk Ulkan and Neville Wright have refused to comment.

For more on this story see this week’s Epping Forest Guardian – out Thursday.