Jewish Museum bars Corbyn from speaking
Concerns Labour leader embroiled in anti-semitism row would put on ‘act’ and ‘lecture’ Jewish community
THE Jewish Museum has blocked Jeremy Corbyn from making a speech at the venue today about the Labour Party’s ongoing problems with anti-semitism, amid fears it would be a “stunt” rather than a bridge-building exercise.
Members of the Jewish community raised concerns they would be “lectured” by Mr Corbyn and accused him of putting on an “act” to calm his supporters and MPS.
The party is still in talks with the museum about an event next week, but the snub has fuelled claims that Labour MPS could walk out because of Mr Corbyn’s failure to act to stamp out racism.
Yesterday, one of the leader’s most loyal backers turned on him, and this newspaper can reveal that some Labour MPS are reportedly on the brink of quitting the party and sitting as independents because of his handling of the row.
Jon Lansman, the founder of Momentum, told senior figures in the La- bour leader’s office that it was a “massive tactical mistake” to pursue action against a respected Jewish MP while appearing to let allies of Mr Corbyn go unpunished.
On Whatsapp, Mr Lansman questioned why Labour had chosen to investigate Dame Margaret Hodge but not Pete Willsman, who ranted about “Jewish … Trump fanatics”.
Now some Labour MPS are considering quitting the party and sitting in the Commons as independents as they can no longer justify asking voters to back the party, sources said.
As many as 20 MPS are “closer than they have ever been” to quitting the party as claims of racism “gnaw at their consciences”. Many are reaching “breaking point” because of Mr Corbyn’s failure to get to grips with claims of anti-semitism at the very highest levels of the organisation, sources said.
In recent days, MPS have publicly issued ultimatums to Mr Corbyn, including Stephen Kinnock, and a growing number are thought to be considering quitting the party formally to make a stand.
It comes amid rumours that Mr Corbyn could move some of his most senior MPS out of top jobs because they are not working hard enough. And sources suggested John Mcdonnell, Mr Corbyn’s key ally, could be positioning himself to take over before the next election. Chris Leslie, a senior Labour MP, told The Daily Telegraph: “Many Labour MPS are angry, exasperated and mortified with the state of the party at the moment and it seems to worsen by the hour, let alone the day.
“Labour has become less and less recognisable in policy terms, the stain of anti-semitism is hideous and there’s a clear desire by some at the top of the party to see MPS like me go.”
But another source said even some of Mr Corbyn’s most loyal allies are starting to speak out against him behind closed doors because of his failure to act as claims of anti-semitism grow.
In a bid to get his party back on track and reassure the Jewish community, Mr Corbyn had reportedly approached the Jewish Museum in Camden, north London, to give a speech today.
But his request was turned down last night and sources close to the venue told of concern about what the speech would include and whether it was a genuine “bridge-building exercise”.
Leading figures in the Jewish community said they did not think the proposed speech was appropriate.
“The last thing we want is to be lectured by Jeremy Corbyn,” one said.
Last night, a source close to Mr Corbyn said they were not prepared to comment on individual cases but pointed out Mr Willsman had apologised and chosen equalities training.