MP Ian Austin leaves Labour, citing 'culture of extremism and antisemitism'

He said he has always told his constituents the truth, adding he could never ask them to make Mr Corbyn prime minister.

He said he was disgusted at the treatment of MPs including Luciana Berger and Margaret Hodge, who had taken a stand against antisemitism but had suffered horrendous abuse from members as a result.

He said: “I think Jeremy Corbyn has completely changed what was a mainstream party into a completely different party with very different values.

“The hard left is now in charge of the party, they’re going to get rid of lots of decent mainstream MPs and I just can’t see how it can return to the mainstream party that won elections and changed the country for the better.”

Jewish Leadership Council Chair Jonathan Goldstein said: “I want to commend the courage of my friend Ian Austin. Today he took the brave and difficult step in leaving the Labour Party.

"Ian, the son of a Holocaust survivor, has been unflinching in his support against growing antisemitism in this country. 

"The Labour Party has forced allies like Ian and Joan to choose between their British values and anti-racism and a narrow partisanship that promotes anti-Jewish racism. They are both on the right side of history in saying loudly and clearly that neither of them will continue to be bystanders to the hate emanating from the Labour leadership.”