Angry MPs call for new investigation
FURIOUS LABOUR MPs have called on the party to re-open an investigation into alleged antisemitism by two Oxford University students.
During a meeting of the parliamentaryLabourpartyonMondaynight,MPs IanAustin,RuthSmeethandJohnMann attacked the NEC’s decision to drop an investigation into the claims.
Mr Austin said: “Last week’s decision resulted in fury in the Jewish community and has been criticised by the Chief Rabbi, the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Labour Movement and the all-party group on antisemitism.”
A poll last year showed that Labour has just eight per cent of Jewish votes.
“A party that can only rely on the sup- portof eightpercentof anycommunity doesn’t deserve the support of anybody else. This has to be looked at again,” said Mr Austin.
Mr Mann, chair of the all-party group, said: “This decision brought shame on the Labour Party.”
Tory MP Craig Whittaker told the Commons on Monday that the decision, taken by Labour’s disputes committee, was another sign that the party “does not take antisemitism seriously”.
In response, Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “All organisations have an obligation to stamp out antisemitism whenever it is encountered.”
Discussing antisemitism, Priti Patel, Secretary of State for International Development, told a Conservative Friends of Israel reception on Tuesday: “It is outrageous that the Labour Party, particularly under Jeremy Corbyn, are failing to get a grip on the issue.”
The revealed last week how the party’s national executive committee decided that no action was being taken against two Oxford University Labour Club (OULC) members.
Theywereamongagroupwhocalled Jewish students “Zios”, sung about rockets over Tel Aviv and discussed “an international Jewish conspiracy”.
TheNECdecisiontodropan11-month investigation into the two Corbyn supporters overruled recommendations to the party that they should be given a warning for their behaviour.
Labour General Secretary Iain McNicol said concerned MPs should take it up with NEC members.