NSW Premier Chris Minns sacks pro-Palestine MP Anthony D’Adam after comments about State top cop Karen Webb

NSW Premier Chris Minns has sacked an MP who has repeatedly criticised Israel after he refused to withdraw comments accusing NSW Police of using intimidation towards pro-Palestinian protesters.

Mr Minns has removed Anthony D’Adam from the secretarial position in state parliament after the upper house MP made a late night speech to parliament on Wednesday to liken the conduct of a specialist unit of police to “an occupying army”.

The NSW premier said he had asked Mr D’Adam to withdraw the comments, which also concerned NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, and he had refused.

“Mr D’Adam did not raise his criticisms about NSW Police with me, the Police Minister or with NSW Police,” he said.

“The first we heard about it was his speech in Parliament.

“Mr D’Adam’s comments do not represent the views of the NSW Government.

“I have formed the view that his actions and criticisms of the NSW Police, without at any time speaking with colleagues to convey his concerns in relation to this matter, are incompatible with his position as Parliamentary Secretary.”

Mr Minns said NSW Police had the full support of the state government and did an extremely difficult job. He earlier said he found Mr D’Adams comments reprehensible.

On Wednesday night Mr D’Adams told state parliament that police conduct had made a liar out of NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and the conduct of the Public Order and Riot Squad at pro-Palestine protests involved fear and intimidation.

“They [police] are there to protect and serve the community,” he said.

“Despite dressing in military-style fatigues, they must understand that they are not an occupying army using force to control a civilian population.

Mr D’Adams also accused Israel of genocide and has previously claimed the chant “from the river to the sea” is not anti-Semitic, despite Jewish groups associating the phrase with ethnic cleansing.

Mr D’Adams said he understood Mr Minn’s position and said he held no malice towards the NSW Premier.

“I acknowledge the Premier and I have differing views in relation to a number of issues confronting the government,” he told the Daily Telegraph, adding his comments intended to raise concerns over the approach of police.