Pete Newbon

Peter Jonathan Hewitt Newbon (1983 – 15 January 2022) was a British Jewish academic and campaigner against antisemitism. At the time of his death, he was a lecturer in Romantic and Victorian Literature at Northumbria University and a director of Labour Against Antisemitism.

Biography

Newbon studied at King's College, Cambridge,[1] where he graduated BA (2006), MPhil (2007), and PhD (2011). He joined Northumbria University in 2012.[2] His research interests were the concept of childhood in the Romantic period, and the concept of the boy-man in the long nineteenth century. He was married to academic Rachel Hewitt; they had three daughters.[3]

In May 2021, Newbon posted an image on Twitter of Jeremy Corbyn reading Michael Rosen's book We're Going on a Bear Hunt to a group of children. The cover of the book had been superimposed with the anti-Semitic forgery The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. In a play on Rosen's words, "We can't go over it. We can't go under it. Oh no! We've got to go through it!", Newbon wrote, "A nasty, horrible Zionist! We can't go over him, we can't go under him, we'll have to make an effigy..." Rosen called the tweet "loathsome and anti-Semitic".[4][5][2][3][6] Newbon, who was himself Jewish, subsequently received abusive online messages[2] and, according to his Lawyer, was "remorselessly bullied "[7]

Northumbria University received 4,000 complaints against Newbon and began disciplinary proceedings.[8] The university's investigation of Newbon was described in The Spectator as "a tale worthy of Kafka".[9] The disciplinary action culminated in Newbon being issued with a final written warning for bringing his employer into disrepute.[10] In late 2021, Newbon lodged a libel claim against Rosen.[11]

In July 2021, a claim was made against Newbon in the High Court for defamation, harassment and misuse of private information.[12][13][14] A financial settlement was reached against his estate as a result of this claim.[13][12]

Newbon died on 15 January 2022 from a fall from a road bridge. His inquest was conducted by the Deputy Coroner for North Yorkshire, Jonathan Leach, in Northallerton on 4 April 2023. The coroner's finding was suicide.[2][15] The dispute with Rosen was not referred to at the Coroners hearing.[16]

After his death, the Board of Deputies of British Jews opened a condolence book in his honour.[17] The Jewish Chronicle described him as "the anti-racism warrior with a radiant soul".[1]

References
  1. Sharpe, Fiona (27 January 2022). "Pete Newbon, the anti-racism warrior with a radiant soul". The Jewish Chronicle.
  2. Newton, Grace (4 April 2023). "Dr Peter Newbon inquest: Northumbria University lecturer died after falling off bridge over A64 in North Yorkshire". The Yorkshire Post.
  3. Frot, Mathilde (20 January 2022). "Activist's widow pays tearful tribute". The Jewish Chronicle.
  4. "Michael Rosen condemns Northumbria Uni lecturer's manipulated image tweet". BBC News. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  5. Flood (20 May 2021). "Michael Rosen condemns 'loathsome and antisemitic' manipulated image". The Guardian.
  6. Mendick, Robert (21 January 2022). "Academic dies after Twitter anti-Semitism 'pile on'". The Telegraph.
  7. "Probe launched into death of UK Jewish academic after Twitter antisemitism 'pile-on'". The Times of Israel. 31 January 2022.
  8. Hirsh, David (11 August 2022). "In Memory of Pete Newbon". Journal of Contemporary Antisemitism. 5 (1): 127–130. doi:10.26613/jca/5.1.106. S2CID 251470863.
  9. Daisley, Stephen (24 May 2021). "Why is a Jewish lecturer being investigated for mocking Corbyn?". The Spectator.
  10. Mendick, Robert (21 January 2022). "Academic dies after Twitter anti-Semitism 'pile on'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  11. Steerpike (5 January 2022). "Michael Rosen faces defamation lawsuit". The Spectator.
  12. Frazer, Jenni (17 February 2023). "Twitter trial: antisemitism campaigners crowdfunding £8k for their own defence". www.jewishnews.co.uk. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  13. Bloch, Ben (22 February 2023). "Antisemitism activists crowdfunding to fight lawsuit after Twitter argument". www.thejc.com. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  14. "Wilson v Mendelsohn & Ors [2022] EWHC 715 (QB)". www.bailii.org/. 30 March 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  15. "Inquest hears shocking testimony of Pete Newbon's final moments". The Jewish Chronicle. 4 April 2023.
  16. Newton (4 April 2023). "Dr Peter Newbon inquest: Northumbria University lecturer died after falling off bridge over A64 in North Yorkshire". The Yorkshire Post.
  17. "Pete Newbon Condolence Book". The Board of Deputies of British Jews.
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