Board of Deputies condemns Labour MP's comments backing Ken Livingstone

Reacting to the comments, Mr Arkush said: “Sadly, this is the kind of behaviour we have come to expect from Chris Williamson.

"We called for him to be sacked last year from the shadow cabinet over outrageous comments labelling claims of antisemitism in Labour ‘a dirty lowdown trick’.

"His actions since have confirmed that he is an embarrassment to his own party and the party should consider further sanctions against Mr Williamson, including a public rebuke and the removal of the Labour whip.”

Mr Williamson had agreed to attend the event despite local MP Fiona Onasanya pulling out last week, citing “concerns” over the speakers.

He also called for "action” to be taken against fellow Labour MP John Mann, saying: "He verbally abused and physically harassed [Ken Livingstone] in the most intimidating way in front of TV camera crew.”

Mark Gardner, Community Security Trust director of communications, said: “If you want to understand mainstream Jewish communal fears about the Labour Party, Chris Williamson MP’s defence of Jackie Walker and Ken Livingstone is a good place to start: as is his attack on John Mann MP, who sits on the opposite end of Labour’s stance on these issues.”