Around 500 Labour members have signed an open letter addressing the anti-Semitism scandal currently rocking the party, issuing an apology to “the Jewish community and our Jewish comrades”.
Signed from those “who support Jeremy Corbyn in his leadership”, the document urges Jewish members of Labour not to desert the party “so we can work with you and together eradicate antisemitism from our movement and society as a whole”.
The letter comes a day after the suspension of close Corbyn ally Chris Williamson, over his claims that the party has been “too apologetic” about anti-Semitism.
His comments were unearthed by the Yorkshire Post, who found a video of the Derby North MP speaking to a Momentum meeting in Sheffield.
After a number of Labour MPs – including deputy leader Tom Watson – voiced outrage over the comments, the party announced it had suspended the MP.
Asked during an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme whether anyone from Corbyn’s office had argued against suspension, Watson said: “I can’t confirm that. I’ve no idea who said what in Jeremy’s office. I honestly don’t know that.
“I’ve asked to see Jeremy on Monday next week to talk about how we can further improve our measures to deal with anti-Semitism.”
Watson said Williamson was “entitled to a fair hearing”.
The letter reads: “We have seen antisemitism from Labour members and supporters, online or offline. We recognise that as a movement we have been too slow to acknowledge this problem, too tolerant of the existence of antisemitic views within our ranks, too defensive and too eager to downplay it.
“We sincerely apologise to the Jewish community, and our Jewish comrades in the party, for our collective failure on this issue to date.
“We believe that a small minority of antisemites are wreaking havoc in the Labour movement, alienating Jewish people, and sabotaging the Labour project. Some of these people are already expelled or otherwise suspended by the party, but remain active on social media. Moreover, there is a much wider problem of denial about the problem, including shouting down those who raise it or take action.”