Second backbench MP faces INVESTIGATION in row over Labour’s new anti-Semitism code
A SECOND backbench Labour MP faces disciplinary action after criticising the party’s new code of conduct on anti-Semitism, which has plunged the Labour Party into controversy and drawn sharp criticism from leading members of the Jewish community.
Ian Austin, Labour MP for Dudley North, clashed with the Labour Party’s Chair Ian Lavery in the House of Commons on July 19, shortly before Parliament’s summer recess.
He attacked Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) for their new code of conduct on anti-Semitism.
While the document recognises the internationally accepted definition of anti-Semitism as outlined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), it has been criticised for failing to replicate the organisation’s full list of examples.
Mr Austin was sent a letter by the Labour Party in mid-July warning him that he faced disciplinary action and an investigation into his behaviour, which was branded as “abusive conduct”.
The letter to Mr Austin said: “You should be aware that any future behaviour of a similar nature to the allegation above could result in further disciplinary action, including the possibility of administrative suspension while the matter is investigated.”
I am angry about anti-Semitism and I am angry that the Labour party can’t deal with it adequately
Mr Austin commented on the disciplinary action to the Observer, saying: “Wouldn’t it be great if they dealt with the people responsible for racism as quickly as they dealt with the people who are understandably upset about it?
“I am angry about anti-Semitism and I am angry that the Labour party can’t deal with it adequately.”
A senior member of the British Jewish community commented on the issue, stating: “It looks like a full-scale purge.”
An identical letter was sent to veteran Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge, who branded Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn an “anti-Semite” over his failure to address the NEC’s new code.
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Dame Margaret defended her statements, telling the Today programme: “I stand by those remarks.
“Honestly, it’s with a heavy heart.
“I don’t want to be in this position, nobody would be happier than I would be for Jeremy to say tomorrow, and the Labour party to say, 'we’ll adopt this in full'.”
A Labour Party spokesman nevertheless vowed to take the complaints made against Mr Austin and Dame Margaret “extremely seriously”, and noted they would be investigated in line with party “rules and procedures”.
The NEC’s decision to amend the IHRA’s code on anti-Semitism was also defended by the shadow solicitor general, Nick Thomas-Symonds.
He stated many of the IHRA’s examples of anti-Semitism had been “adopted word for word in our code of conduct”, and noted that in others “the ground is covered”.
Speaking to the Today programme, he said: “We should be going further than the IHRA definition and the language of the code is at times much stronger.
“We need to expand on a lot of the examples to ensure that we have a legally enforceable code so that we can enforce discipline as everyone wants to.”