PRIME Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s local council is set to decide on Monday whether it will divest from companies complicit in the Gaza genocide.

The crucial debate will go ahead after more than 4,000 locals signed a petition demanding that Camden Council divests from companies enabling Israel’s illegal occupation and military onslaught in Palestine.

Freedom of information requests from last June revealed that Camden Pension Fund was investing £80 million in such firms, including arms companies BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin.

Camden Friends of Palestine, which launched the petition, said there had been repeated attempts by the council to avoid scrutiny — cancelling meetings, closing the public gallery and refusing deputations. 

The council is said to be dominated by Sir Keir’s wing of the Labour Party and several councillors were rewarded with parliamentary seats in the last election. 

The Prime Minister’s constituency of Holborn and St Pancras covers more than 60 per cent of the council’s wards.

A spokesperson from the group said: “Camden Council has repeatedly ignored the wishes of its communities, actively sidestepping demands for ethical investment. 

“This petition will make Starmer’s own council confront the question of divestment face-on, for the whole of Camden to see.

“There is clearly a huge groundswell of support for divestment from these companies that are currently supplying weapons to Israel. The council must end its complicity now. 

“Any other option but divestment would mean councillors prioritising a career in Starmer’s Labour Party over the communities they represent, opposition to genocide and international law.”

Palestinian and Camden resident Lubaba Khalid, and Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos, will present to the councillors during the debate on Monday.

Local residents and activists are due to gather outside Camden Town Hall to show their support for divestment.

The council has been contacted for comment.