The curse of antisemitism afflicts all parties. When evidence of it comes to light, it must be exposed. But in recent years, it is in Labour it has cast the deepest shadows, triggering last year’s devastating report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (ECHR). As the party fights to recover, it is bound to be scrutinised.

To his huge credit, Sir Keir Starmer pledged to tear out antisemitism “by the roots”. Antisemitism training created by the Jewish Labour Movement has been rolled out. Complaints procedures have been overhauled. A rigorous process handles cases involving any “protected characteristic” under the Equality Act, including antisemitism.

The party has promised to improve “due diligence checks” on candidates. Unfortunately, the evidence since May’s local elections suggests here, there is a long way to go. Bad enough six councillors have already had to be suspended.

Worse, in three cases, troubling new allegations emerged about councillors who had been suspended for alleged antisemitism and reinstated. You’d expect they’d be carefully examined before being allowed to stand. This appears not to have happened. One, Labina Basit, was a member of Labour Against the Witchhunt, which the party has declared incompatible with Labour values. Somehow, she had slipped through the net, though she has now been suspended again.

It is entirely in Labour’s interests that cases of extremism are uncovered, so the party can achieve Sir Keir’s goal and be free of antisemitism’s taint. Unfortunately, for now, that means continuing to confront some awkward truths.