Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he is “disappointed” with Lord Levy after the Jewish peer threatened to would quit the party if it did not address allegations of rising antisemitism within its ranks.
This week, Labour life peer Lord Levy said he would quit the party if its leader did not condemn antisemitism.
In response, a visibly annoyed Mr Corbyn told Sky News: “Lord Levy clearly hasn’t been listening to the seven times since I became leader I’ve absolutely condemned antisemitism.
“I’ve condemned Islamophobia - any form of racism anywhere within our society.”
He added: “I’m disappointed that Lord Levy has made these remarks. He knows full well what my views are - he knows full well the kind of decent, inclusive society that we all want to live in. I look forward to having that discussion with him.”
Mr Corbyn went on to talk about the “levels of abuse” faced by Muslim women in his constituency, adding: “Jewish women or Jewish men, if they’re abused on the street, deserve exactly the same protection as anybody else.”
The Labour party has become embroiled in allegations of a cover-up and rising antisemitism within its ranks after it was revealed that figures like Vicki Kirby, who had made antisemitic comments, had been welcomed back into the party.
But Mr Corbyn dismissed allegations during the interview, adding: “We do take action on the very very very small number of cases where anything happens.”
He said: “The idea that there is a tolerance of any form of racism is wholly and totally fallacious.”
