Labour antisemitism has got worse, claims deputy leader

TOM WATSON, Labour’s deputy leader, has said the party’s antisemitism crisis has got “worse” over the past year.

Mr Watson told members of the Jewish Labour Movement: “This time last year, in my message to you, I said that it had been an exceptionally difficult year for Jewish members of the Labour Party.

“This year has been worse. I won’t pretend it hasn’t.”

In a written message sent to JLM members with the organisation’s annual report last Friday, Mr Watson added the problem was “not just with individual cases of antisemitism” but with “wider patterns of association”.

He added: “All of us in positions of leadership, and especially the party’s elected representatives, have a responsibility to reflect on the messages we send out by our actions.”

Mr Watson suggested it was “painful” to see antisemitism “ignored, or minimised, or excused” by some Labour members and supporters.

He said: “It isn’t acceptable and I am ashamed of it.” Referring to the resignation of Ken Livingstone from the party last month, he said he was “delighted that at long last” the former Mayor of London was no longer a member.

He also said he was “pleased” activist Marc Wadsworth had been expelled. Mr Watson suggested Jennie Formby, appointed Labour’s general secretary earlier this year, had “staked her reputation” on dealing with antisemitism.

He also said he wanted to pay “tribute” to the JLM’s parliamentary chair, Luciana Berger, and the “very many” Labour MPs who took part in the Enough is Enough protest in Parliament Square.

In his own message to JLM’s 2,000 members, Mr Corbyn said he would

Tom Watson “do all in my power” to “strengthen those bonds which have become so sadly weakened between your community — the Jewish community — and our party”.

At last week’s JLM AGM in Westminster, Ivor Caplin was confirmed as the group’s new chair — replacing Jeremy Newmark who resigned earlier this year.

In his first speech in the role, Mr Caplin, a former Labour MP and defence minister in Tony Blair’s government, said: “Far too often we are seeing antisemitism dressed up by some as comment on Israel — it is not and it has to stop.” Singling out Labour MP Chris Williamson, Mr Caplin said: “I am really disappointed the Chief Whip has not withdrawn the whip from him yet.”

He also called on Home Secretary Sajid Javid to fully proscribe Hezbollah in the UK.

It isn’t acceptable and I am ashamed of it’