The Shadow Chancellor acknowledged 'issues' with the controversial promotional event he attended with Jewish Voice for Labour co-chair
October 12, 2018 09:49
Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has acknowledged there were "issues" with the controversial promotional event he attended in the Finchley and Golders Green constituency with Jewish Voice for Labour co-chair Jenny Manson.
Defending his decision to appear at the event - at which least one Jewish journalist was refused admission - Mr McDonnell also claimed he had "raised concerns" with Ms Manson over her past conduct.
The JC has also learned that ahead of the event on Thursday evening in Cricklewood, Mr McDonnell was berated by MPs in his own party, who alerted him to the fact that organisers had attempted to ban journalists, including a JC reporter.
In a sign of the mounting tensions, Finchley and Golders Green Labour Party put out a message on Twitter disassociating themselves from the meeting, saying: "We stand foursquare behind the mainstream Jewish community."
It is also understood that if Ms Manson - who has received a written warning about her conduct from Labour - chooses to stand for selection in the seat, she will face a challenge from a very well respected Jewish candidate.
Responding to an email from Finchley and Golders Green Labour member Joel Rosen, Mr McDonnell wrote: "I acknowledge that issues have been raised surrounding tonight’s event.
"As a friend I will urge Jenny to redouble her efforts to reach out to sections within the Jewish community who feel aggrieved at the positions she has taken.
"I hope all parties will be able to resolve their differences through dialogue in order to unite to campaign around the issues which unite us as a Labour movement."
In an email sent to Mr McDonnell on Tuesday, Mr Rosen had highlighted the fact that Ms Manson had at a previous meeting of the local Labour Party compared "the homophobic Section 28 legislation to the IHRA definition of antisemitism which our NEC has adopted unanimously".
He also reiterated to Jeremy Corbyn's closest ally how Ms Manson's campaign to stand as a Labour MP in the seat "has the backing, both financially and politically, of racists who have been expelled from our party. Tony Greenstein, who has published pictures of under-age Barnet members on social media with abusive captions, and describes our local BAME councillor as an ‘uncle Tom’ has donated to her campaign."
Mr McDonnell responded in an email sent at 9.30pm on Thursday evening, saying: "With regards to Jenny Manson, I have raised the concerns you and some others have expressed to me with Jenny directly.
"Jenny rejects many of the allegations that have been raised and believes some others have been taken out of context.
“As I have repeatedly said, we must take the firmest possible line in response to any allegations within our movement of antisemitism.
“We have, and must continue to, expel anyone from our party who has perpetrated any form of racism and we must act swiftly and decisively when complaints are made."
Defending his continued support for Ms Manson, the Shadow Chancellor added: "As for my involvement in this evening’s event, I am attending to give my support to Jenny’s campaign to become Labour’s MP for Finchley and Golders Green.
"Jenny is a committed socialist whose record campaigning for Labour on many progressive causes over the years demonstrate her commitment to opposing injustice and would, I believe, make her an excellent candidate."
Responding to Mr McDonnell, Mr Rosen wrote: “I agree there is a need for dialogue, and in that spirit I am happy for Jenny to have my email. However, dialogue involves a genuine exchange of ideas between people of differing outlooks.
“Attending an event in which journalists and Labour Party members are excluded, does not indicate a desire for dialogue. Nor does censoring discussion of antisemitism.
He added that Mr McDonnell’s claim that the party has no tolerance for antisemitism was “demonstrably false. The party has now missed its second deadline for dealing with the backlog.”
The angry email continued: “Jewish MPs and the JLM are denigrated whilst bigots like Willsman sit on the NEC.
“History will record you as the Shadow Chancellor who saw fit to show solidarity with Jackie Walker and Jenny Manson whilst courageous anti-racist MPs like Luciana Berger and Ian Austin are left increasingly isolated.
“I am glad the media is highlighting your role in this shameful affair.”
