John McDonnell told to pull out of Labour Conference talk with union boss accused of anti-Semitism
Jewish campaigners have warned the Shadow Chancellor that taking part in the conference with Mark Serwotka would reignite Labour's anti-Semitism crisis
JOHN McDonnell was told to pull-out of a Labour conference event next week with a union boss accused of anti-Semitism.
Jewish campaigners warned that failure to withdraw would risk reigniting Labour’s bitter anti-Semitism crisis.
The Shadow Chancellor - Mr Corbyn’s closest friend in politics - is scheduled to speak alongside controversial PCS union leader Mark Serwotka at an event organised by the Corbynista campaign group Momentum in Liverpool next week.
It comes just days after Mr Serwotka sparked fury by claiming anti-Semitism “does not exist” in the Labour party and suggested it was a story “created” by Israel.
The Labour Against Anti-Semitism group demanded Mr McDonnell pulled out of the event - branding Mr Serwotka’s slur an “undeniable promotion of an Anti-Semitic trope”.
In a letter to the Shadow Chancellor the group’s boss Euan Philipps said: “As a show of solidarity with Jewish members of the Labour Party and to show that you fully endorse a message of zero tolerance of antisemitism in the Labour Party, we request that you withdraw your attendance at this event.
“Having noted your statements on antisemitism in the Labour Party over the recent summer recess, we trust you will understand the significance of our request.
“We feel that any further confusion over the position of the party leadership, including yourself, on antisemitism in the Labour Party will only lead to further division within the Labour movement and continue to distract attention away from the fight against this damaging and dangerous Conservative government.”
A source close to Mr McDonnell said he hadn’t seen the letter.
Mr Serwotka made the controversial claim at a fringe event at the TUC conference in Manchester last week.
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He said the hundreds of allegations of anti-Semitism in Labour were false and were a “systematic attempt” by Israel to shut down pro-Palestine campaigners.
Mr Serwotka, who Mr Corbyn describes as a “close friend”, said there was “something sinister going on” by those labelling the Left anti-Semitic, adding: “We need to understand and be prepared to call out.”
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