Jeremy Corbyn responds to EHRC report: ‘One antisemite is one too many’
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LIVE BLOG: EHRC’s damning verdict on Labour antisemitism: GUILTY AS CHARGED

Unrivaled coverage of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s damning verdict throughout the day on Jewish News’ live blog.

By Jewish News Reporter October 29, 2020, 10:55 am Edit
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10:55 am

Jeremy Corbyn responds to EHRC report: ‘One antisemite is one too many’

Wait – is this something approaching an apology from Corbyn? Writing on Facebook, he says: “Jewish members of our party and the wider community were right to expect us to deal with it, and I regret that it took longer to deliver that change that it should.”

In a subtle dig at Lord McNicol, Jennie Formby’s predecessor in the role of Labour Party general secretary, he adds that “my team acted to speed up, not hinder, the process”. So – an apology, alongside an “it wasn’t me, guv”. Not that it matters now.

Read his statement in full: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/jeremy-corbyn-responds-to-ehrc-report/

“Antisemitism is absolutely abhorrent, wrong and responsible for some of humanity’s greatest crimes. As Leader of the Labour Party I was always determined to eliminate all forms of racism and root out the cancer of antisemitism. I have campaigned in support of Jewish people and communities my entire life and I will continue to do so.

“The EHRC’s report shows that when I became Labour leader in 2015, the Party’s processes for handling complaints were not fit for purpose. Reform was then stalled by an obstructive party bureaucracy. But from 2018, Jennie Formby and a new NEC that supported my leadership made substantial improvements, making it much easier and swifter to remove antisemites. My team acted to speed up, not hinder the process.

“Anyone claiming there is no antisemitism in the Labour Party is wrong. Of course there is, as there is throughout society, and sometimes it is voiced by people who think of themselves as on the left.

“Jewish members of our party and the wider community were right to expect us to deal with it, and I regret that it took longer to deliver that change than it should.

“One antisemite is one too many, but the scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the party, as well as by much of the media. That combination hurt Jewish people and must never be repeated.

“My sincere hope is that relations with Jewish communities can be rebuilt and those fears overcome. While I do not accept all of its findings, I trust its recommendations will be swiftly implemented to help move on from this period.”

Jeremy Corbyn. (Photo credit: Jeff Overs/BBC/PA Wire via Jewish News)