Corbyn: We do have a problem
Labour chief insists he will not tolerate anti-Semitism
JEREMY Corbyn has told antiSemites among his supporters: “You do not do it in my name.”
The Labour leader finally broke his silence over the crisis in his party about abuse aimed at Jewish people.
He admitted there was a “real problem” in the ranks but dismissed fears a Labour government would be “a threat to Jewish life in Britain”.
“I do acknowledge there is a real problem that Labour is working to overcome,” he wrote for the Guardian.
“If any part of our national community feels threatened, anxious or vulnerable, not only must that be taken at face value but we must all ensure those fears are put to rest.”
However, he offered no apology for the row and refused to back down over the wording of a Labour code of conduct dealing with anti-Semitism.
The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism said: “He has hypocritically condemned anti-Semitic behaviour that he himself has been guilty of.”
Labour chiefs are refusing to fully sign up to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance code.
The row led to allegations about Mr Corbyn’s past associations with people accused of anti-Semitism.
He insisted Labour members with those views were “few” but that “one is too many”, adding: “Our party must never be a home for such people. People who dish out anti-Semitic poison need to understand: you do not do it in my name.”
And he warned party officials who have down-played the row: “No one should try to dismiss or belittle the concerns expressed by so many Jewish people and organisations about what has been happening.”
Labour has offered to drop disciplinary action against Dame Margaret Hodge, who rounded on Mr Corbyn, but has asked her to apologise.