Labour may expel Jewish MP who called Corbyn racist

A JEWISH MP could be ousted from Labour for calling Jeremy Corbyn a “racist” during a row over the party’s new code of conduct on anti-semitism.

Dame Margaret Hodge, a former minister, has been told that action will be taken against her after she lashed out at the Labour leader over the decision to reject an internationally recognised definition of hatred of Jews.

The decision reignited a row which has for months pitted Mr Corbyn’s allies against those who believe the party leadership has failed to crack down on anti-semites. They believe the decision is particularly damaging as Dame Margaret is the descendant of a German Jewish family, a number of whom died in the Holocaust. In an article in The Guardian, Dame Margaret reiterated her claim that Mr Corbyn was “now perceived by many as an anti-semite”. She said a growing number of Jews, party members and the wider public had come to see Labour as a “racist party”. Despite being threatened with disciplinary action, she said she would not apologise for her behaviour and stood by “my action as well as my words”.

Last night, Mr Corbyn’s spokesman said Dame Margaret’s remarks were “clearly unacceptable” and revealed the party would be taking action. It is understood if she is judged to have brought the party into disrepute, she may face suspension and even expulsion. Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “How about taking action against anti-semites rather than against those calling antisemitism out? Extraordinary and just appalling.”

Last night, the Jewish Chronicle called for Jewish Labour MPS and their allies to resign the Labour whip and form a new bloc of Independent MPS to trigger a “revolution in politics”.