They still don’t get it: Labour MP says party was ‘too apologetic’ about anti-Semitism
A CLOSE ally of Jeremy Corbyn claims that Labour has been ‘too apologetic’ over anti-Semitism allegations.
Chris Williamson also said he responded to the resignations of Labour MPs last week by singing Celebration – a 1980 hit by Kool and the Gang.
Speaking at an event in Sheffield hosted by campaign group Momentum, Mr Williamson said last night: ‘The party that has done more to stand up to racism is being demonised as a racist, bigoted party.
‘I have got to say I think our party’s response has been partly responsible for that, because in my opinion… we have backed off too much, we have given too much ground, we have been too apologetic.’
He said his singing of Celebration was likely to have been heard by one of the Labour defectors, Joan Ryan, as her parliamentary office is near his, according to the Yorkshire Post.
Last night Mr Williamson was also forced to cancel an event in Parliament featuring a Labour activist suspended over anti-Semitism.
The former frontbencher was accused of planning to host the tribute film to Jackie Walker, who was suspended for making offensive comments about Jews. But he gave in after party authorities told him to reconsider.
Jewish MP Luciana Berger, who quit the party citing ‘institutional anti-Semitism’, said: ‘For a Labour MP to host this film, with a “guest” who hasn’t yet had their anti-Sem-itism disciplinary hearing – eight months after the leadership promised it would be concluded
‘Completely inappropriate’
– is beyond offensive.’
The Jackie Walker evening would have clashed with a Labour Friends of Israel event, which is being held on the same corridor. It prompted accusations that Mr Williamson was attempting to provoke Jewish Labour MPs.
Miss Walker was suspended from Labour after saying that ‘many Jews were chief financiers of the slave trade’.
She was suspended again in 2016 over remarks during an anti-Semitism training event at party conference, and is currently awaiting a disciplinary hearing which will take place next month.
In the film, of which the Daily Mail has obtained a copy, Miss Walker attacks those who have complained against her. ‘What is going on with a party system that is encouraging a kind of Stasilike sort of informing about people?’ she says.
Last night Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson, who has criticised anti-Semitism in his party, reported the incident to the party authorities.
Mr Williamson denied that he was hosting the event but admitted he had booked the room. Chief Whip Nick Brown and General Secretary Jennie Formby are said to have asked him to cancel the booking immediately, which he later did.
Labour MP Lilian Greenwood said Mr Williamson’s behaviour ‘ disgusts me and brings shame’ on the party.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews tweeted: ‘ How much longer will Williamson get away with trolling the Jewish community?’
A Labour spokesman said: ‘It’s completely inappropriate to book a room for an event about an individual who is suspended from the party and subject to ongoing disciplinary procedures.
‘This falls below the standard we expect of MPs.’