JVL's Jenny Manson and John McDonnell refuse to discuss antisemitism at showcase event

A Jewish member of the audience demanded to know why some had been excluded. Ms Manson answered that all steps taken by her campaign team had been done so “with advice”. 

Etan Smallman, a Finchley and Golders Green constituent, was dragged away from the meeting by security guards after having his ticket to the event cancelled.

Mr Smallman, a freelance journalist, was told by Ms Manson’s campaign team that he had been barred because he did not have media accreditation.

He explained to the JC that he wished to attend in a personal capacity.

He said: “I’m not here in a professional capacity. I don’t see why that just because I work in a certain industry I should be barred from attending.

“I think that, either as a constituent or as a member of the press – which is what they seem to want to consider me this evening – I should be allowed access to a public meeting. I bought a ticket, walked here in the rain and I have waited courteously for an explanation.”

After initially gaining access to the hotel lobby, Mr Smallman was later asked to leave without an explanation. He refused, and was forcibly removed by security staff.

Another young constituent, Nir Finch-Cohen, told the JC that his ticket was cancelled without explanation.

Otherwise the discussion between Mr McDonnell and Ms Manson was limited to matters related to economic policy and Brexit. 

When asked by the JC, Mr McDonnell declined to offer his thoughts on Labour’s ongoing antisemitism crisis, insisting his party wanted only to “look to the future”.