Labour’s anti-Semitism problem has been going on for so long now that what would once be seen as a disturbing incident can now struggle to be classed as news. However, Tuesday’s House of Commons debate on anti-Semitism still managed to surprise for several reasons – though none of them good.
After Sajid Javid tabled the debate, Jeremy Corbyn decided to show how seriously he is taking the problem by not taking an active part in the debate. Javid’s opposite number – Shadow Communities Secretary Andrew Gwynne – led the opposition despatch box and Corbyn watched on. Only, the Labour leader didn’t bother to stay for the whole debate. He left the Chamber before his Labour colleague – and critic – John Mann spoke.
To be fair to Corbyn, the session would have hardly made pleasant listening for him. As well as some Tory attacks, what followed were Labour MPs lining up to detail damning accounts of the anti-Semitic abuse they had received – a lot of which was linked to Corbyn’s supporters.
Margaret Hodge said the anti-Semitism she had experienced from Labour supporters had left her feeling like an outsider in her own party:
John Mann detailed the abuse he and his family had received – included a rape threat to his wife from a ‘leftist anti-Semite’:
Luciana Berger detailed the ‘filthy Jewish bitch campaign’ which targeted her:
Ruth Smeeth received applause after she read out all the anti-Semitic abuse she has received:
A BMG/Independent poll has found that 61 per cent of people think Labour has an anti-Semitism problem – more than half say Corbyn is handling it ‘badly’.
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