Former minister Ivan Lewis has told Jeremy Corbyn that the ongoing Labour antisemitism crisis cost the party votes at last week’s elections.

Mr Lewis, the party’s MP for Bury South, met his party leader yesterday to discuss his concerns about the problem.

Concern was running high in his constituency and across Manchester following the suspensions of party members, activists and an MP in the past two months, the former Middle East Minister said.

“I pointed out to Jeremy that we lost council seats in Bury as a result of a protest vote on this issue by former Labour voters,” Mr Lewis said following the session.

“I made it clear that while the vast majority of Labour members are not antisemitic there is a serious problem amongst a minority which has to be tackled decisively.”

A five-point plan aimed at tackling Jew hate in the party with the intention of “restoring the confidence of Labour supporters” was put forward by the Jewish politician. Mr Corbyn said he would submit the plan to the independent inquiry into antisemitism which he launched a fortnight ago.

Mr Lewis, who intends to stand as a candidate for Mayor of Manchester, said he backed people’s right to criticise the Israeli government, but said attacks on the country using “language and imagery which is antisemitic and deeply offensive” was not acceptable.

He added: “We had a positive meeting and I am hopeful robust action will follow the independent inquiry that has recently been established by the Labour Party into antisemitism and racism.”

Mr Corbyn has not commented on the meeting.

When Mr Corbyn was elected Labour leader last September, Mr Lewis was Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary. It was reported at the time that when Mr Lewis asked to remain in the role, and raised his concerns about antisemitism , Mr Corbyn agreed to meet him and discuss the problem.

Shortly after, Mr Corbyn sacked Mr Lewis by text message.