Eighth MP quits party over Corbyn
AN eighth Labour MP last night announced she was quitting the Labour Party, saying it had become “infected” with anti-jewish racism.
Joan Ryan, MP for Enfield North and chairwoman of Labour Friends of Israel, said she would join the Independent Group in the House of Commons.
Ms Ryan said she did not believe Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was fit to lead the country, adding she would continue to represent the seat in north London.
Her move adds to pressure on Mr Corbyn, who yesterday brushed off calls for a major change to his leadership approach following the departure of seven disillusioned MPS as a backbencher apologised for suggesting the Independent Group might be being bankrolled by Israel.
Ruth George, who represents High Peak in Derbyshire, said she had “no intention of invoking a conspiracy theory” after she highlighted the fact that Jewish MP Luciana Berger – one of the so-called Gang of Seven – had links to a pro-israel campaign group.
At the launch of the new grouping,
Ms Berger, the MP for Liverpool Wavertree, claimed Labour under Mr Corbyn had harboured a culture of “bullying, bigotry and intimidation” and that she had come to the “sickening conclusion” Labour was now “institutionally anti-semitic”.
Ms George sparked a row after reacting to reports that a local Labour councillor had liked a Facebook comment, which described the Independent Group of MPS as “Israelis”.
The backbencher said she would “condemn the calling of anyone as an Israeli when it’s not the case” but then noted: “The comment appears not to refer to the independent MPS but to their financial backers.
“Support from the state of Israel, which supports both Conservative and Labour Friends of Israel, of which Luciana was chair, is possible and I would not condemn those who suggest it, especially when the group’s financial backers are not being revealed. It’s important for democracy to know the financial backers for any political group or policy.”
Her comments drew sharp criticism on social media.
The Board of Deputies tweeted: “What on earth does Ruth George MP think she is saying? That the departure of seven previously Labour MPS could be funded by Israel?
Jews are rightly concerned when elected representatives start indulging conspiracy theories and tropes.”
The Jewish Leadership Council said: “Yesterday 7@Uklabour MPS resigned, many of them citing institutional anti-semitism. Labour frontbenchers are still denying that reality. The dust has barely settled and another Labour councillor and MP have found themselves embroiled in allegations of anti-semitism – what now?”
Later, Ms George took to Facebook to say: “I unreservedly and wholeheartedly apologise for my comment. I had no intention of invoking a conspiracy theory and I am deeply sorry that my ill-thought out and poorly worded comment did this. I withdraw it completely.”
Earlier, Mr Corbyn said he was disappointed by the departure of his former colleagues but stressed: “I hope they recognise they were elected to Parliament on a manifesto that was based around investment in the future, was based around a more equal and fairer society and based around social justice.”
Asked what he would do differently to address their concerns, the Labour leader replied: “Anyone who thinks they are not being consulted are not taking up the opportunities that are available there and open and ready for them at all times to do that; I’m always prepared to discuss policies with people in the party and I do all the time.”