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JLM makes formal complaint about Labour NEC member who denied party had antisemitism crisis

Peter Willsman is now subject of two formal complaints over his conduct at last week's controversial meeting

July 23, 2018 14:35
Members of the Jewish community holding a protest against Britain's opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn and antisemitism in the party, outside the Houses of Parliament on March 26, 2018
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The Jewish Labour Movement has lodged a formal complaint about comments a member of Labour's national executive committee (NEC) made when it adopted a code of conduct on antisemitism that outraged British Jews.

During last Tuesday’s NEC meeting, Pete Willsman made a series of controversial comments, including: "In 50 years I have never seen any antisemitism in the Labour Party. I met an Auschwitz survivor who said the same.”

Mr Willsman then asked for anyone in the room who had witnessed anti-Jewish conduct to raise their hands.

The NEC adopted its own code of conduct on antisemitism, rather than an internationally recognised alternative, without a vote at the meeting, which intensified the party's standoff with the Jewish community.