PICKET founder Phil Hayes has been charged with racially abusing Liverpool MP Luciana Berger.
He will appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court next month.
It is claimed an incident took place in Mount Pleasant after the Liverpool Music Awards on Saturday, November 17.
Mr Hayes had just been presented with the award for Local Music Champion for the work he has done at The Picket – which he founded 26 years ago and which launched bands like The La's, Space and The Wombats.
Friends of Israel
The music promoter is accused of making anti-semitic remarks towards the member for Wavertree, as people involved in the event made their way to an aftershow party at the Philharmonic pub.
Luciana Berger (Pic By
Stephanie De Leng)Miss Berger, a cousin of the late pop singer Amy Winehouse, was director of Labour Friends of Israel and a committee member of the London Jewish Forum before she entered Parliament.
A police spokesman said: “Merseyside Police can confirm 53-year-old Philip Hayes of Oakbank Road, L18, has been summonsed to attend Liverpool City Magistrates Court for Section 5 racially aggravated public order.
“This follows an incident in Liverpool city centre on Saturday, 17 November.”
Merseyside Police said the allegations are being investigated by Sigma, the force's dedicated hate crime unit.
Mr Hayes, who was unavailable for comment today, is due to appear in court on January 9.
