Claim anti-Semitism row being ‘stirred up’ against Corbyn

The row over anti-Semitism in the Labour Party is being “stirred up” to attack Jeremy Corbyn, the senior official forced to quit over her role in handling complaints has claimed.

Christine Shawcroft stood down as disputes panel chairwoman after opposing the suspension of a council candidate accused of Holocaust denial.

Some 39 MPs and peers have since signed an open letter calling for Ms Shawcroft to be suspended from the National Executive Committee (NEC).

In a statement posted on Facebook, Ms Shawcroft said she was “not a Holocaust denier and I would not support a Holocaust denier”.

“I have been trying to support members who have been affected by all the shenanigans around council selections and thought this case was just another one of those,” she added.

“I had not seen the appalling and abhorrent post which was shared and if I had seen it I would not have sent the supportive email.”

Ms Shawcroft said it was “entirely right” that she had quit her role chairing the disputes panel.

She added: “This whole row is being stirred up to attack Jeremy, as we all know. That someone who has spent his whole life fighting racism in all its forms should find himself being accused of not doing enough to counter it, absolutely beggars belief.”