Jewish MP Margaret Hodge ‘threatens to quit’ & Jewish groups dismayed after Jeremy Corbyn BACK in party
JEWISH MP Margaret Hodge has “threatened to quit” and Jewish groups have given a damning judgement of the decision to let Jeremy Corbyn BACK into the Labour party.
Ms Hodge lashed out saying it was a “broken system” that allowed Mr Corbyn back into the party even after the equalities watchdog blamed him for anti-semitism under his leadership.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
The disastrous ex-Labour leader was given a formal warning by the party’s governing body yesterday – but reinstated his membership.
He was only suspended for less than three weeks after the Equalities and Human Rights Commission found he had meddled with complaints against anti-semitic members and downplayed the problem.
The decision does not necessarily mean Sir Keir Starmer will restore the whip and allow him to continue as a Labour MP in Parliament.
Ms Hodge said last night: “This is a broken outcome from a broken system”
And Ms Hodge was reported to be threatening to quit over Mr Corbyn’s renewed welcome back to the Labour Party, according to the Jewish Chronicle.
“A factional, opaque and dysfunctional complaints process could never reach a fair conclusion.
“This is exactly why the EHRC instructed Labour to setup an independent process!”
The Jewish MP, who was the target of anti-semitic attacks, branded the decision “ridiculous” given Mr Corbyn had continued to claim antisemitism had been exaggerated – even after the EHRC report.
Mr Corbyn has refused to apologise for allowing anti-semitism to flourish on his watched.
Ms Hodge continued: “I simply cannot comprehend why it is acceptable for Corbyn to be a Labour MP if he thinks antisemitism is exaggerated and a political attack, refuses to apologise, never takes responsibility for his actions & rejects the findings of the EHRC report.”
‘INSINCERE & INADEQUATE’
A crucial element of the EHRC report warned the complaints process had failed to tackle allegations of anti-semitism and directed Sir Keir to set up a new body.
The Jewish Labour Movement also condemned the decision, saying it would only “embolden those who agree with him”.
They blasted Mr Corbyn’s statement, in which he finally admitted antisemitism was not overstated, as “insincere and wholly inadequate.”
They groups said the former leader had “offered no apology for his total failure of leadership to tackle antisemitism”.
“Once again, we find ourselves having to remind the Labour party that Jeremy Corbyn is not the victim of Labour antisemitism – Jewish members are.”
Former Labour MP Luciana Berger, who was subject to vicious anti-semitic attacks, stressed there is a massive problem with Mr Corbyn being allowed back into the party – even after the EHRC’s indictment of his leadership.
Corbynista MPs were quick to welcome Mr Corbyn back into the fold – despite the allegations against him.
Nadia Whittome said: “Welcome back @jeremycorbyn! I’m very pleased to see Jeremy reinstated.
“It’s time for our party to move forward: implement the recommendations of the EHRC report, root out antisemitism and come together to fight against this dangerous government. We have big battles to win.”
Most read in News
And Zarah Sultana heaped praise on Mr Corbyn, saying: “It’s right that @jeremycorbyn has been readmitted to the party. He has spent his whole life fighting for peace, justice and equality.
“That fight isn’t over. Let’s now unite to take on this rotten Tory government.”