Overview
- The Countdown presenter received the civic award at a ceremony at the Lord Mayor’s official residence, Mansion House, on Tuesday.
- Lord Mayor Alastair King and Alderman Tim Levene nominated her, praising her courage in using her public platform to challenge racism.
- Riley called the recognition a huge honour and warned that antisemitism has become more visible, making many Jewish people feel less safe in Britain.
- City officials cited her visits to Auschwitz and meetings with Jewish leadership groups and survivors as key elements of her education work.
- The Freedom of the City of London, a tradition dating to 1237, adds to her 2023 MBE and her efforts with the Centre for Countering Digital Hate and critiques of Labour’s handling of antisemitism.