‘No change!’ Labour blasted as department backs anti-Israel candidate | Politics | News | EUROtoday

This morning, Keir Starmer was eager to boast that Labour is a “changed party” since he took over from Jeremy Corbyn.

However that declare is now going through scrutiny after an area Labour Party department endorsed a former candidate who was suspended amid the Rochdale by-election antisemitism scandal.

Graham Jones, the previous MP for Hyndburn, was booted out of the social gathering after he was caught saying that the Israel-Hamas battle was “f***ing Israel again”, in addition to saying that Brits going to battle for the Israeli Defence Force must be “locked up”.

Contrary to his suspension, nevertheless, his former Labour department has now unanimously despatched a letter of assist for the disgraced politician to move workplace, demanding he be allowed to face because the social gathering’s Hyndburn candidate.

In a Facebook submit by the native department, chairman Andy Tatchell described the previous Labour MP as a “dedicated and passionate advocate for our party and our community”, including that it’s “crucial to stand by him during this challenging time”.

Mr Jones’s feedback got here shortly after Rochdale by-election candidate Aznar Ali was suspended mid-campaign for alleged antisemitic feedback.

While Graham Jones is clearly the native selection regardless of his previous controversy, it’s understood he’s not the candidate this present day and stays suspended.

Keir Starmer’s declare that Labour is a “changed party” was further undermined after he refused to say whether Diane Abbott would be welcomed back into Labour before the election.

Challenged on LBC, he revealed that Ms Abbott’s investigation after she was suspended for alleged antisemitic comments would be resolved “very soon”.

He was asked: “There seems to be room for Natalie Elphicke down in Dover, but not Diane Abbott up here in London. Can you welcome Diane Abbott back to your happy fold?”

Sir Keir refused to rule out such a move, but acknowledge it would have to be resolved “very soon now because I think the deadline is [approaching]”.

While Diane Abbott has many hard-left supporters, she caused fury in 2023 when she wrote a letter to the Observer claiming that Irish, Jewish and Traveller people are not subject to racism “all their lives”.

Responding to her claims, the Board of Deputies of British Jews described them as “disgraceful” and her apology “solely unconvincing”.

Jewish Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge called the letter “deeply offensive and deeply distressing”.

Amid the growing concerns about the Labour Party, deputy Tory chairman Jack Lopresti MP warned: ”Sir Keir Starmer claims he is leading a changed party but it’s clear that nothing has changed – Labour is still the party of hatred”.

“When an area Labour affiliation is actively making an attempt to put in a person suspended for antisemitism, it simply goes to indicate Sir Keir has no management of his ranks. If he hasn’t bought the braveness to face as much as his personal social gathering, how can he get up for the nation?

“The Conservatives will take bold action to deliver a secure future for you and your family, while all Labour offers is more uncertainty.”

The Labour Party has been supplied the chance to remark.