Corbyn will ‘never be PM’ if he fails on anti-semitism

JEREMY CORBYN’S chances of being elected prime minister are “remote” until he tackles anti-semitism in his party, the peer tasked with reviewing the problem has warned.

Lord Falconer said Labour’s handling of anti-semitism would be an “obstacle” to the party being elected.

His warning came as Amber Rudd, the Work and Pensions Secretary, criticised activists in her constituency for saying Jewish MPS were “crying wolf ”.

Last week, the Hastings and Rye Labour Party passed an emergency motion saying those concerned about anti-semitism in Labour were running an “orchestrated campaign”.

The motion, passed by 37 votes to one, said: “Accusations of anti-semitism are being criminally misused in an unscrupulous bid to destroy the Corbyn-led Labour Party.”

It also called for the reinstatement of Chris Williamson, the MP suspended after saying Labour had been “too apologetic” on the issue.

Ms Rudd accused local activists of “goading and baiting” Jews in her constituency, who “deserve far better than a local Labour Party obsessed with peddling conspiracy theories”.

Yesterday, Lord Falconer, who has been asked by Labour to investigate anti-semitism within the party, said: “My conversations with members of the Jewish community make it absolutely clear to me that the Jewish community has absolutely no confidence in the Labour Party or Jeremy Corbyn.

“If that characterisation continues within the mainstream Jewish community, the idea we could ever be elected is remote.”

Meanwhile, it has emerged that two “malicious” anti-semitic letters sent to MP Joan Ryan are being investigated by police. She quit Labour last week, citing concerns over its relations with the Jewish community.

On joining the breakaway Independent Group of MPS, Ms Ryan said Labour had become “infected with the scourge of anti-semitism”.

♦ A 41-year-old man, said to be probrexit, was “quickly detained” by police officers on suspicion of assault after an egg hit Mr Corbyn on the head during a visit to a north London mosque. Mr Corbyn was unharmed.

‘It is clear to me that the Jewish community has absolutely no confidence in Labour or Jeremy Corbyn’