Corbyn critic will advise Government on anti-semitism
ONE of Jeremy Corbyn’s fiercest critics was yesterday appointed as a government adviser on anti-semitism, in one of Theresa May’s final acts as leader.
John Mann, the Labour chairman of the parliamentary group on anti-semitism, will provide the incoming communities secretary with guidance.
It poses a fresh headache for Mr Corbyn, whom he has repeatedly criticised in recent months over the failure to drive anti-jewish racists out of Labour.
Mr Mann was also heavily involved in the campaign to expel Ken Livingstone from the party in 2016 and was filmed publicly confronting him over his claims that Adolf Hitler supported Zionism.
More recently, he has led calls for Labour to expel Chris Williamson, a staunch supporter of Mr Corbyn, who is currently suspended after claiming the party had been “too apologetic” against anti-semitism claims.
Mr Mann said yesterday: “If we stay silent on anti-semitism, we allow cowardice and bigotry to speak its own repulsive language. I will endeavour to give a clarion call to government on prejudice and discrimination.”
The news came as Mr Corbyn was told by Labour’s former head of disputes that his plans to speed up antisemitism cases would “completely factionalise” the party’s disciplinary system.
Mike Creighton, who worked for Labour for almost 30 years, warned that Mr Corbyn’s plans were “wrongheaded” and risked further undermining confidence in the party.
The Labour leader has proposed appointing one of his closest political allies to a new panel to oversee the most serious complaints of anti-semitism. Under his plans, Jennie Formby, the general secretary, would hear cases alongside officers from the National Executive Committee, Labour’s governing body, with the panel able to expel or suspend members.
His proposals, approved by the committee yesterday, have killed off rival plans drawn up by Tom Watson, his deputy, who had joined with scores of Labour MPS in demanding a new independent body to deal with complaints.
They will now be put to Labour’s annual party conference for approval.
On Mr Corbyn’s plans, Mr Creighton told The Daily Telegraph: “It’s completely factionalising the process. It is absolutely clear that nothing less than an independent process will satisfy the people both inside and outside the party who are demanding change.”