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UK's Labour Party suspends former leader Jeremy Corbyn after anti-Semitism report

October 30, 2020
 Britain's main opposition Labour party has suspended its former leader Jeremy Corbyn over his reaction to a highly critical report on anti-Semitism by the UK's human rights watchdog. — Courtesy photo
Britain's main opposition Labour party has suspended its former leader Jeremy Corbyn over his reaction to a highly critical report on anti-Semitism by the UK's human rights watchdog. — Courtesy photo



LONDON — Britain's main opposition Labour party has suspended its former leader Jeremy Corbyn over his reaction to a highly critical report on anti-Semitism by the UK's human rights watchdog.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on Thursday identified "serious failings" with how Labour dealt with anti-Semitism in the party during Corbyn's four-and-a-half years as a leader.

Corbyn responded to the report by saying that while he condemned anti-Semites, the scale of the problem under his leadership had been "dramatically overstated for political reasons," drawing a swift and dramatic response from the party.

"In light of (Corbyn's) comments made today and his failure to retract them subsequently, the Labour Party has suspended Jeremy Corbyn pending investigation. He has also had the whip removed from the Parliamentary Labour Party," a party spokesperson said.

Sir Keir Starmer, who became Labour leader in April, said the publication of the report had brought "a day of shame" for the party.

Sir Keir, who served under Corbyn as shadow Brexit secretary, promised to implement the report's recommendations "as soon as possible in the New Year".

Commenting on his suspension from the party, Corbyn reacted on Twitter, promising to "strongly contest the political intervention to suspend me".

He said those who denied the party had an anti-Semitism problem were "wrong" and he would "continue to support a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of racism". — Agencies


October 30, 2020
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