JEREMY Corbyn’s Labour Party has failed to address anti-Semitism in its ranks, the shop steward of the party’s MPs said.
John Cryer, chairman of the parliamentary Labour Party, said procedures had improved but not all anti-Semites were being expelled.
He also called for “tolerance” of divergent views at the top of the party, suggesting that while Corbyn accepted differences of opinions, others around him did not.
Cryer, whose pregnant wife MP Ellie Reeves has faced efforts to oust her from within her Lewisham West and Penge constituency party, also said there was “a lot of worry” about attempts to deselect sitting MPs.
READ MORE: Anti-Semitism row MP Chris Williamson loses Labour whip again
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Cryer said: “We’ve failed to address anti-Semitism.
“The bottom line is, are we kicking people out of the party who are anti-Semitic? In some cases yes we are, but in some cases no.
“If you’re a racist, you shouldn’t be in the Labour Party.”
The comments come after shadow chancellor John McDonnell dismissed reports of a “civil war” over the issue as “myths and rubbish”.
The Sunday Times reported that McDonnell and shadow cabinet minister Diane Abbott insisted Corbyn fire senior aides Karie Murphy and Seumas Milne. It also claimed several former Labour staff have contravened non-disclosure agreements to give information to an upcoming Panorama programme about Labour and anti-Semitism, with law firm Carter Ruck warning of potential court action as a result.
Barry Gardiner MP told Sky News those involved had a “political axe to grind”, adding: “We absolutely do not use gagging orders to hide anything that is illegal or improper.”
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