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Furious Labour MPs attack false antisemitism figures released by general secretary
Jewish MPs say their own evidence of antisemitic attacks ignored by Formby
February 11, 2019 19:45
Jewish MPs say their own evidence of antisemitic attacks ignored by Formby
February 11, 2019 19:45Furious Labour MPs have launched a scathing attack on the accuracy of data published by general secretary Jennie Formby on antisemitism in the party.
Jewish MPs Ruth Smeeth and Dame Margaret Hodge suggested “thousands” of allegations of Jew-hate had been omitted from figures released on Monday.
Defiant Ms Smeeth vowed to carry on with the fight to expose to true scale of the crisis in Jeremy Corbyn’s party.
She said: ”This isn’t over yet. Nobody is going to force me out of this party to stop me carrying on this fight.
"We know of thousands of cases that have been submitted where nothing seems to have been done. Believe you me we are going to carry on fighting this. The PLP is united on this.
“We need genuine leadership and we need them to turn up to provide it. I wish this was over, every Jewish MP wishes this was over, but it’s not over and we’re not going to keep quiet until antisemitism has gone from the Labour party.”
In a reference to her colleague Luciana Berger, Ms Smeeth added: "One of my friends who is heavily pregnant is having to go through this day in day out and it’s simply not good enough.“
Receiving a loud cheer Ms Berger herself read out vile antisemitic messages and images she had been sent by a Labour member, who had still not been kicked out.
Dame Margaret Hodge described Monday evening’s meeting of Labour MPs as “very despressing”.
She confirmed she had submitted a complaint of over 200 examples of antisemitism against her about which nothing had appeared to be done.
“They were very strong cases as well,” suggested the veteran MP. “And what has happened with them? Nothing it seems.”
Ilford North MP Wes Streeting said the data released by the leadership on antisemitism “did not pass the smell test”.
He also called for the opening of an investigation into Wavertree Labour Party in Liverpool over bullying and antisemtism directed towards Luciana Berger.
In an angry speech, John Mann spoke of the vicious hatred directed at him and his family by individuals he said were “Labour members”.
He said he felt the viciousness of antisemitic hate even though he was not Jewish himself. Mr Mann praised the courage of Jewish MPs who faced even worse hate.
Former general secretary Iain McNicol also spoke of his anger at Ms Formby’s claim that accurate date on the issue was not available under his term in office.
Asked why neither Mr Corbyn, Ms Formby or anyone from the leadership were present at the meeting, a party spokesperson claimed they had prior engagements for what was meant to be a business meeting.
Labour’s Ian Austin said “questions were asked” about Ms Formby’s date “but no answers were given.”
