May’s anti-Semitism parting jibe at Corbyn

She hires one of his own MPs to advise ministers

THERESA May appointed Labour MP John Mann as an independent adviser on anti-Semitism yesterday.

She wants Mr Mann, who is chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on antiSemitism, to advise ministers on how to tackle the issue.

The announcement – on Mrs May’s last day in power – came as Labour’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) backed Jeremy Corbyn’s plan to give his political ally Jennie Formby a bigger role in tackling the party’s problem with hatred of Jews.

He wants Miss Formby, the party’s Left-wing general secretary, to sit on a new disciplinary panel. The NEC rejected deputy leader Tom Watson’s plan for an independent complaints process.

Mr Mann has been a long-term critic of the way Jeremy Corbyn has dealt with anti-Semitism allegations against the party.

Downing Street said he would provide the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government with independent advice on the most effective methods to tackle anti-Semitism. He will also collaborate with Lord Pickles, the UK’s special envoy for post-Holocaust issues, and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the special envoy for freedom of religion and belief, ‘to ensure a consistent approach’.

Mrs May said: ‘Anti-Semitism is racism. John Mann is, without exception, a key voice on this matter. He has frequently campaigned in the Commons and has tirelessly used his role as a politician to speak out on behalf of victims of anti-Jewish racism.’

Meanwhile, Labour MPs said Mr Corbyn’s plan to hasten the party’s handling of racism claims did not go far enough.

But Mr Corbyn said: ‘The general secretary, as the most senior official of the party, should be

‘There is still no independence’

involved in the most serious cases to ensure a rapid process.’

Ruth Smeeth, parliamentary chairman of the Jewish Labour Movement, called for a completely independent process, telling BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘There is still no independence. In fact, arguably, political power over antiSemitism cases is going to be consolidated by political supporters of Jeremy Corbyn.’

It emerged yesterday that Labour’s membership has plummeted, falling below 500,000 for the first time in months.