Brexit and the response to hate crimes emerged as central issues for voters at a hustings event organised by a mental health charity.

Liberal Democrats, Labour Party and Brexit Party candidates responded to audience questions at the Mind in Harrow event on Thursday (November 28).

As well as discussing the state of mental health services, Brexit and the rising level of hate crimes in Harrow were seen as key concerns.

The Labour candidates, Gareth Thomas and Cllr Pamela Fitzpatrick, were also questioned on their party’s response to ongoing concerns about anti-Semitism.

Mr Thomas, who is standing in Harrow West, said sorry to the Jewish community and argued that Labour must work hard to right the wrongs.

He said: “I can only apologise to the Jewish community. We have not handled things as well as we should have done and that has been recognised across the party. We have a long journey back to re-engage with the community.”

Mr Thomas has been a vocal opponent of the prospect of a no-deal Brexit and also criticised the deals put forward by prime minister Boris Johnson and his predecessor Theresa May.

This opinion was shared by Adam Bernard and Lisa-Maria Bornemann, who are standing for the Liberal Democrats.

Outlining their party’s clear position on Brexit – to stop it, if it was to get into power – they suggested that people have a “right to change their mind”.

“It’s easy to get a majority if you simply say ‘look, this could be great’,” Mr Bernard said.

“I don’t think we would get the same result if people realised all the problems that have arisen and the alternatives on offer.”

He agreed that Labour has some “big questions” to address on anti-Semitism but pointed out that it is a wider societal problem.

He noted the rise in hate crimes in “almost every category, in almost every area” and urged people to remember what he described as Mr Johnson’s “appalling record on bigotry” when casting their vote.

Richard Jones, who is standing in Harrow West for the Brexit Party, slammed politicians for not delivering the result of the 2016 referendum.

He described the last three years as being run by a “zombie parliament” and bemoaned the clash of “direct democracy versus parliamentary democracy”.

“They couldn’t stomach the fact they didn’t get the answer they wanted, and they’ve tried to fudge it,” he said.

“I’m happy to have another referendum once we’re out, but you can’t just not implement a result by trying to change things.”