Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn is embroiled in a fresh row over anti-Semitism, after claims his office has interfered in party investigations into the issue.
Dame Margaret Hodge MP, who is Jewish herself, said in a letter to Mr Corbyn that she was misled over assurances that his office was not involved in disciplinary procedures.
Prominent Labour MP says Corbyn misled her
Dame Margaret told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that Mr Corbyn had given her assurances that there was no interference in the complaints process. However, she claims the Labour leader has not kept his word.
She said: “a whole number of his top team, not just one person, lots of them” were involved in individual cases, adding “they interfere and they lower the sanctions. People aren’t suspended, they’re just given a warning letter.
Hodge says Corbyn “doesn’t demonstrate” zero tolerance on anti-Semitism
“What is so awful about this is that Jeremy always proclaims zero tolerance of anti-Semitism. When it comes to the actual cases, if they’re his mates he doesn’t demonstrate zero tolerance.”
Labour moved quickly to deny Dame Margaret’s accusations, saying that any suggestion Corbyn’s office had interfered were unfounded.
Labour says Hodge claims “categorically untrue.”
A spokesperson said: “Any suggestion that staff in the Leaders’ Office overturned recommendations on individual cases is categorically untrue.”
“Staff who work on disciplinary matters have always led on investigations and recommendations on individual cases.”
