Green member behind Zionism motion named as 'close friend' of jailed al-Qaeda supporter in court

US prosecutors alleged that Pham was directed by al-Qaeda operative Anwar al-Awlaki to detonate explosives at Heathrow’s arrivals area after spending several months in Yemen receiving training from him. In US tribunal documents from 2015, Speitan was listed as a "close friend" of Pham who would supply "critical grounds regarding Pham's intelligence state". The documents said that would be "crucial successful establishing a intelligence wellness defense", adding that it "bears connected the contented of guilt". Speitan had a medical condition that prevented her from giving testimony in person, the documents note. In an earlier letter to the US District Judge, Speitan said Pham was 1 of the "few radical I respect with specified precocious respect and esteem". She added that if the judge "truly knew the Minh [Pham] that and others grew to emotion and respect", they might have "probably had the full lawsuit dismissed". She acknowledged that Pham "may person had and developed immoderate behavioural issues" but emphasized: "He turned retired to beryllium 1 of the kindest, honest, astir sincere, trustworthy and respectful radical I person ever known." The documents contain no indication that Speitan was aware of Pham’s alleged extremist activities at the time they knew each other. Speitan has not replied to the BBC’s request for comment. The Telegraph reported that when asked whether she remained friends with Pham, she responded: "Yes, it's inactive the case." She also said she believed Pham had been "targeted" by "the system". A Green Party spokesperson stated: "Where members person expressed views that bash not acceptable successful with the party's values, we person interior processes to investigate." The situation arose as Green Party member Polanski faced division among the party’s members, MPs and local leaders over the motion. Several Green councillors have resigned since its adoption. Green councillor Phil Davies of Wales resigned and cancelled his membership on Tuesday, describing the vote as "the last nail successful the coffin". Polanski issued a lengthy statement on Monday nighttime saying he would not exclude anyone from the party "because of the spiritual oregon communal assemblage they are portion of". The party leader, who is Jewish, stressed that "antisemitism and disapproval of the Israeli authorities are, and indispensable ever be, wholly distinct".