LABOUR’S problems over anti-Semitism have reignited after the party moved to suspend a local party where activists are accused of “bullying” their Jewish MP.
Deputy leader Tom Watson asked the party’s top official to suspend the Liverpool Wavetree party after two motions of no confidence were tabled against Luciana Berger.
One was tabled by an activist who claimed Ms Berger, a leadership critic who has been the target of anti-Semitic abuse, should be “exposed for the disruptive Zionist she is”.
The other said: “Instead of fighting for a Labour government, our MP is continually using the media to criticise the man we all want to be prime minister.” Both were withdrawn after an outcry.
A source close to the Labour leadership said: “It was the right decision.”
In the House of Commons, Mr Watson said Ms Berger had “our solidarity, our support, as she battles the bullying and hatred from members of her own local party.”
He added: “They bring disgrace to the party I love.”
Mr Watson later wrote to Labour general secretary Jennie Formby asked her to take action against the Wavetree branch, which has seen a recent influx of the hard left.
He wrote: “It is clear to me that Luciana Berger is being bullied. This behaviour by her local party is intolerable. The actions of her constituency are not only threatening towards Luciana personally but are bringing our party into disrepute.”
Ms Berger has frequently criticised Labour’s failure to tackle anti-Semitism in its ranks, and last year needed a police escort to the party conference after death threats.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell was also criticised for demanding a loyalty pledge from Ms Berger, amid speculation she could quit Labour for a new party.
He told Sky News: “My advice... is for Luciana to just put this issue to bed. Say very clearly ‘no, I’m not supporting another party, I’m not jumping ship’.”
Nottingham East Labour MP Chris Leslie, another critic of Jeremy Corbyn, said Mr McDonnell’s intervention had been a mistake.
He told the BBC: “John McDonnell was… basically demanding an oath of loyalty from her. I’ve never heard of such a ridiculous situation. He should never have allowed his allies to have gone after Luciana like that in the first place.”
Labour MP Chuka Umunna said Ms Berger’s CLP should treat her with respect.
He tweeted: “So a victim of outrageous racism in @UKLabour must promise she will not walk because of that racism and then this can all go away.
“How about demanding her CLP treats her with the respect she deserves. How about the party deals with that racism. Words fail me. Totally unacceptable.”
Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner added: “I don’t know what’s happening in Luciana’s constituency but she has my full support in speaking out and stamping out the racism and antisemitism that’s in our party & wider community.”
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