JEREMY Corbyn is under-pressure to take action against one of his closest allies as Labour’s anti-Semitism woes
continued to engulf the party.
Peter Willsman, a senior member, was secretly recorded at a meeting of the party’s ruling national executive committee, accusing those who have complained about anti-Semitism of making it up.
The covert recording was leaked to the Jewish Chronicle.
Willsman, who was on the “JC9” Momentum-backed slate for re-election to the NEC, can be heard seemingly suggesting that some of the antisemitic materials Labour members have posted online has been faked.
He says: “And some of these people in the Jewish community support Trump – they are Trump fanatics and all the rest of it.”
Willsman adds: “So I am not going to be lectured to by Trump fanatics making up duff information without any evidence at all.
“So I think we should ask the 70 rabbis where is your evidence of severe and widespread anti-Semitism in this Party?’”
There are protests from some in the room as he speaks.
Willsman adds: “Let me ask you, let me ask you a question, how many people in this room have seen antisemitism in the Labour Party?
“Put your hands up… one, two – you’ve had antisemitism in the Labour Party? I’m amazed. I’ve certainly never seen it.”
In the aftermath of the meeting, which took place on July 17, Willsman was the subject of two formal complaints for his remarks – one from the Jewish Labour Movement and another from a representative of the Leeds community.
At the end of last week General Secretary Jennie Formby said there would be no investigation.
However, the leaked recording has shocked members.
The party’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, tweeted: “For the avoidance of doubt: Peter Willsman is and always has been a loud mouthed bully. He disgusts me.”
Well known supporters who had previously backed Willsman for re-election withdrew their support. Though many members will have already voted.
Owen Jones tweeted: “After his comments, there’s no way I’ll vote for Pete Willsman for Labour’s NEC.
“I’ll proudly vote for the other eight excellent Labour left candidates. I won’t vote for someone who undermines the struggle against the disgusting disease of anti-Semitism.”
Following the publication of the recording, Willsman claimed that “Not all of what I said has been accurately reported.” He then apologised “for any offence caused to those present and those to whom my remarks were reported.”
The Board of Deputies of British Jews, said he should be expelled from Labour and suggested that Corbyn, who was present for at least some of the meeting, should have intervened.
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