When Luciana Berger was “bullied” out of Labour it was the worst “day of shame” in the party’s history, the party’s deputy leader has said.
Tom Watson said he had also asked for a meeting with Jeremy Corbyn to discuss how to crack down on anti-Semitism within Labour.
His comments came a day after Derby North MP Chris Williamson was suspended by the party after he claimed it had been “too apologetic” about accusations of racism.
Speaking to the BBC, the close ally of Corbyn has said he hoped to “clear my name” as there was “no evidence against me”.
Berger, who is Jewish, was one of eight Labour MPs to quit the party last week to help set up The Independent Group.
She said the party had now become “institutionally anti-Semitic”.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4′s Today programme this morning, Watson said: “When Luciana Berger left the Labour Party, I thought it was the worst day of shame in the Labour Party’s 120-year history. A pregnant young MP bullied out of her own party by racist thugs.
Asked if Corbyn was fit to be prime minister, Watson said: “He could easily be prime minister. But, of course, we could do without the anti-Semitism.”
Watson added: “The one thing I say to my colleagues and half a million Labour Party members is that I am not going to allow them to be tainted by racism, so I am going to speak out on anti-Semitism for as long as it takes to root it out and deal with it.”
Williamson was suspended yesterday pending an investigation after his pattern of behaviour was reviewed by staff.
Corbyn has said racism, including anti-Semitism, in the party is “absolutely unacceptable”.