Corbyn challenged over TV debate ‘lies’ on Jew-hate
V JEREMY CORBYN has been accused of lying to millions of viewers of Tuesday’s election debate about his party’s efforts to investigate antisemitism in a row that threatens to leave Labour in disarray.
Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) national chair Peter Mason reacted furiously to the Labour leader’s claim during the debate that his party had “investigated every single case” of antiJewish racism put before it.
Mr Mason, who is also an elected member of Labour’s highest disciplinary body, the National Constitutional Committee (NCC), attacked Mr Corbyn’s comments immediately after the debate had aired, saying: “This is a lie.”
He also revealed that he was aware of 130 cases of anti-Jewish racism by Labour members that were deemed serious enough to be presented to the NCC after consideration of the evidence — but which remain unresolved.
He said: “There are at least 130 outstanding antisemitism cases, some dating back years, that still haven’t been dealt with. The party haven’t bothered to investigate the cases properly or make decisions. This is the tip of the iceberg.
“Corbyn and Labour’s total failure to deal with antisemites has seen it investigated by the Equalities and Human
Rights Commission (EHRC) for institutional anti-Jewish racism. They don’t launch major investigations without cause, and the investigation continues through the election.”
Mr Mason added that the JLM had completed its submission to the EHRC, which included “thousands” of examples of alleged Jew-hatred yet to be investigated by Labour, based on the sworn testimony of more than 70 Labour activists, officers, staff and politicians.
He added: “Each of them is desperately worried about the turn the party has taken to foster and embed a rancid and abusive victim-blaming culture, one which is then denied, obfuscated and diminished by the leadership.”
He went on: “We have submitted details to the EHRC of thousands of cases left unresolved. Cases where grossly antisemitic behaviour was excused, and details of the worst political manipulation of a system by those running the party. And all for what?
Labour has a rancid and abusive victimblaming culture, denied by the leadership’
How has this festering anti-Jewish racism, the inaction, the lies and the cover ups, ever helped the party in any way? This is a disgraceful episode in the long and proud history of the Labour Party. He [Mr Corbyn] should be ashamed of himself.”
Appearing on Sky News on Wednesday, Labour’s Dawn Butler, the shadow equalities minister, was asked if Mr Corbyn was right to say what he did in the TV debate.
She said details of disciplinary cases were “confidential” but added: “If Jeremy
Corbyn has been informed by the General Secretary that all the cases have been dealt with in some way — then absolutely he is right to say that is the case — because I’m sure that’s what he’s been informed.”
Mr Mason said this showed that Labour figures are unable to defend
Mr Corbyn’s claims during the debate about the party’s record on antisemitism cases “because they know the leader lied on national television”.
Neil Coyle, the Labour candidate for Bermondsey and Old Southwark and a long-time critic of Mr Corbyn’s failure to deal with the issue, told the JC: “Anyone who thinks antisemitism has been dealt with in the Labour Party is simply not listening.” He added: “We have lost Jewish MPs, members and voters over the failure to properly address the problem. Louise Ellman left the party after the complaints process was tinkered with and due to unacceptable delays and insufficient severity of punishment measures.
“I am hugely sorry that UK politics’ greatest force for tackling racism has still not been able to tackle this fully.”
Karen Pollock, from the Holocaust Educational Trust, said that it was “blatantly untrue” for the Labour leader to claim the problem was being effectively tackled.
During Tuesday’s televised debate, Mr Corbyn had been asked by presenter Julie Etchingham about a statement by the Board of Deputies that Labour had turned into “a cesspit of antisemitism”.
He responded by stating: “I have taken action in my party. When anyone has committed any antisemitic acts or made any antisemitic statements they are either suspended or expelled from the party and we have investigated every single case.
“We do take this very, very seriously indeed because I do not want to live in a society where racism is rife.”
During Tuesday’s debate, Boris Johnson had accused Mr Corbyn of a “complete failure of leadership over antisemitism”.
However the prime minister then switched the subject to Brexit, continuing: “But the failure of leadership is even worse when you look at what is happening on their Brexit policy.”
‘Blatantly untrue’ to say problem being effectively tackled