Jeremy Corbyn finally says he is 'very sorry' for Labour antisemitism

"Other parties are also affected by antisemitism - candidates have been withdrawn by the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives and by us because of it. We just do not accept it in any form whatsoever."

But Mr Corbyn added: "When I became leader of the party there were no processes in place to deal with cases of antisemitism. I instituted those.

"I also made sure that for egregious cases, there was a rapid system of doing it and I proposed that to our national executive in July. I also instituted a process of education in the party."

Asked to discuss Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis’s claim that Jews were "justifiably anxious" about the prospect of him becoming Prime Minister, Mr Corbyn said: "I think the chief rabbi's comments really ought to be taken for what they are.

"He hasn't contacted me about it, I'm very happy to meet him, very happy to talk to him, very happy to talk to any representatives of any part of the Jewish community in our society because I recognise that antisemitism is a poison and it's very dangerous."