Hard-Left group backs suspended firebrand

A HARD-Left group founded by John McDonnell launched a defence of the suspended Labour MP Chris Williamson yesterday – and claimed the idea that the party has an antiSemitism problem is a ‘fiction’.

The Labour Representation Committee (LRC) carried an editorial on its website defending Mr Williamson, who had the whip taken away after saying the party was ‘too apologetic’ about members’ antiSemitic behaviour.

The article, written by an activist, Jay Blackwood, said the group ‘wholeheartedly agreed’ with Mr Williamson’s speech and claimed its backlash had ‘nothing to do with genuine concern about genuine anti-Semitism’. It said the controversy was fuelled by ‘Blairites, The Israel Lobby and the mainstream media’ to undermine Jeremy Corbyn. Last night, Mr McDonnell, the group’s president, refused to condemn the article. The shadow chancellor’s spokesman said: ‘John has no day-to-day involvement in the operation of the LRC and is not responsible for its website.’