Concerns as Jeremy Corbyn hires ex-Sinn Fein aide to work with Jewish community

A former aide to Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has been hired to oversee Jeremy Corbyn’s relationship with the Jewish community.

Jayne Fisher is expected to join Mr Corbyn’s team as a “stakeholder engagement manager,” despite unease among the party’s backbench MPs.

In 2014, during Israel’s conflict with Hamas, Ms Fisher spoke at a London rally for Gaza. She read a message from Mr Adams in which he demanded the “expulsion” of Ireland’s Israeli ambassador.

One Jewish Labour insider told the JC: "It's an absolute disgrace."

Ms Fisher previously ran Sinn Fein’s Westminster office. She will start working for the Labour leader next month with responsibility for handling Mr Corbyn’s contacts with ethnic and community groups.

Mr Corbyn privately confirmed he had hired Ms Fisher at a meeting with backbenchers on Wednesday.

He said Ms Fisher was “a very good” hire.

Ivan Lewis, Jewish Labour MP for Bury South in Manchester, defended Ms Fisher on Twitter, he said: "As Shadow Sectary of State I worked closely with reps of all Northern Ireland parties. I often disagreed with Jayne Fisher on Northern Ireland and Labour Party issues.

"But I always found her to be highly professional, principled and honest, even amidst fierce disagreements. She does not deserve to be demonised."

MPs reportedly raised concern about Ms Fisher’s anti-Israel stance and questioned how that would affect her ability to foster positive relationships with Britain’s Jewish community.

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: "We don't comment on staffing matters."