How Labour MP in Zionism slur storm squirmed in witness box

LABOUR MP Richard Burgon declared on oath that he did not believe Zionism was the ‘enemy of peace’ – three months before a video emerged proving he did.

Last year, the shadow justice secretary – a staunch ally of Jeremy Corbyn – denied making the comment after it was exposed by the Mail in 2016.

He was only forced to concede he had done so after video footage came to light this week of him saying those very words.

Yesterday, it emerged he had denied he believed Zionism was the ‘enemy of peace’ in court, saying: ‘It’s not my view’.

The revelation intensified calls for Mr Corbyn to sack Mr Burgon from his shadow cabinet and remove the party whip.

euan Philipps, from Labour Against AntiSemitism, said: ‘He should have been sacked for his “Zionism is the enemy of peace” comment and for denying it.

‘now it appears Mr Burgon may have repeated those denials in court. What more needs to happen before Mr Corbyn gives him his marching orders?’

Zionism is the belief that Jews have the same right to a national homeland as other nations. It is often used as an insult by those who deny Israel has a right to exist. Mr Burgon was asked about the Mail story during his libel action against the Sun in January over a story that claimed a heavy metal band, whose album he performed a spoken word piece on, used ‘nazi imagery’.

The Sun lost, but it argued it was relevant due to the public interest in the issue.

The newspaper’s lawyer asked him about the 2016 Mail story, which read: ‘Justice spokesman Richard Burgon has urged MPs and 17 party members to quit the Labour Friends of Israel group, declaring Zionism is the enemy of peace.’ Mr Burgon replied: ‘That’s what the article says, yes.’ When asked if the article was right, he said: ‘At the time – I believe you wrote to the Daily Mail asking when it was alleged I said this, what event in what year, and they couldn’t say. I’ve answered this question on the television as well. It’s not my view…’ When asked the question again, Mr Burgon replied: ‘I have answered the question already in detail’ – to which the lawyer said: ‘I’m not sure you have, Mr Burgon.’

It comes as a Jewish news poll found 51 per cent of people believe Labour has a serious problem with anti-Semitism.

Last night, Mr Burgon said: ‘When it was put to me in August 2016 I had made these remarks I did not recall doing so. It is now clear that I did and I regret doing so. I recognise such a phrase fails to distinguish between those seeking a peaceful solution in line with international law, and those, such as the current Israeli government, which is undermining efforts towards peace.’