Labour probes ‘100 members’ over claims of anti-Semitism

NIcholas Cecil, Kate Proctor
Updated
Labour's Luciana Berger during her speech in the Commons, which was applauded by MPs from all sides after she spoke of the anti-Semitic abuse she had faced: PA
Labour's Luciana Berger during her speech in the Commons, which was applauded by MPs from all sides after she spoke of the anti-Semitic abuse she had faced: PA

About 100 Labour Party members are being investigated for anti-Semitic behaviour, party chairman Ian Lavery said today.

The senior MP admitted that Labour had a “problem of anti-Semitism” and predicted the number being expelled would increase “dramatically”.

Mr Lavery stressed that he was “appalled” at the situation the party found itself in at the centre of an anti-Semitism storm.

He also said a final decision should have been made on disciplinary action against Ken Livingstone following his remarks about Zionism and Hitler.

Mr Lavery was grilled on the issue by Andrew Neil when he appeared on BBC2’s Daily Politics show after a string of Labour MPs, including Luciana Berger and Ruth Smeeth, yesterday called on the party in a Commons debate to do more to tackle anti-Semitism.

Mr Lavery said the rise in anti-Semitism within Labour ranks was linked to its growing membership, which was now 570,000, with an influx of new members. “Anybody who has joined the Labour Party, let me tell you … any one of those 570,000 members … who have expressed anti-Semitic words, they will be dealt with and we will eradicate the problem of anti-Semitism within the Labour Party,” he said. “Sitting in that Chamber yesterday, with colleagues of mine … I’m absolutely appalled at the situation that we are facing.”

He could not give a number on how many members had been expelled for anti-Semitic comments.

Pressed on how many members were being investigated, he added: “We are investigating probably in the region of 100 at this moment in time, approximately. There has been a whole number of people rightly so kicked out, booted out of the Labour Party for anti-Semitic views. I can see the figure increasingly dramatically,” he added.

On former mayor of London Mr Livingstone’s case, he said: “Ken was suspended two years ago, it has not been resolved. It should have been dealt with.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been criticised for failing to do enough to root out anti-Semitism within his party. He insists that he is acting on the issue.