■ STARMER BLOCKS CORBYN FROM SITTING AS A LABOUR MP
FIRST SIR KEIR KICKED CORBYN OUT OF THE LABOUR PARTY... NOW THE ANTI-SEMITISM ROW CONTINUES AS HE WITHHOLDS WHIP
SIR Keir Starmer has triggered a ferocious internal battle by blocking Jeremy Corbyn from sitting as a Labour MP.
Ex-leader Mr Corbyn was reinstated as a party member earlier this week by the ruling executive, after being suspended over his response to a report about antiSemitism in the ranks.
But his replacement Sir Keir – who had backed the suspension – said he would not restore the whip to let Mr Corbyn represent the party in the Commons.
He said his predecessor had ‘set back our work in restoring trust and confidence in the Labour Party’s ability to tackle anti-Semitism’.
Mr Corbyn was suspended after the Equality and Human Rights Commission published the damning report about antiSemitism within the party during his time in charge. He responded by saying the problem had been ‘dramatically overstated for political reasons’, before later backtracking.
Sir Keir said he would establish an independent complaints procedure in the New Year, adding: ‘I know that this has been another painful day for the Jewish community and those Labour members who have fought so hard to tackle anti-Semitism. I know the hurt that has been caused and the trauma people have felt. I know we have a long way to go, but I am absolutely resolute in my determination to make the party a safe place for Jewish people.’
Sir Keir’s decision was welcomed by Jewish groups.
Marie van der Zyl, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said Labour’s disciplinary process is ‘clearly still not fit for purpose’ but Sir Keir had taken an ‘appropriate’ decision.
And Jewish Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge said the decision to readmit Mr Corbyn had ‘caused untold hurt’ and withholding the whip was ‘right’.
But former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, one of Mr Corbyn’s allies, said the move was ‘just plain wrong’. And ex shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said removing the whip ‘raises serious questions of due process’. Len McCluskey, head of union Unite, said it was ‘vindictive and vengeful’.
Mr Corbyn did not comment, but his wife, Laura Alvarez, said the media was ‘harassing an honest leader’.