Report by Labour-affiliated group tries to blame Israel for stoking Labour's antisemitism crisis

Arguing against the evidence of widespread antisemitism in Labour, Mr James cited the fact that Ed Miliband was elected previous leader of the party in a contest with his brother David.

In the report, Mr James claimed that when Jeremy Corbyn met two Jewish organisations – believed to be the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council -  in 2018 to discuss antisemitism "many of these representatives had links to the Conservative Party".

"Jeremy was conciliatory. He could have pushed back on his visitors by asking why they never addressed antisemitism in the Tory party," he said.

The Telegraph also revealed Facebook posts by Colin O'Driscoll, co-chairman of Labour International.

He wrote: "Antisemitism accusations are a sideshow, a convenient weapon being used on behalf of the Right in British society to derail Corbyn and his supporters."

He also claimed that the Jewish Leadership Council and the Board of Deputies were "overwhelmingly Tory supporters" who were "happy to participate in overheated hyperbole because it suits their class interests".

Mr O'Driscoll did not respond to the JC's request for comment.

Mr James said in his report: "If any member of my Constituency Labour Party has concerns, no doubt they will contact me."

Jennifer Gerber, director of Labour Friends of Israel, said the report represented "the kind of conspiracy mongering and victim blaming that has been a constant feature of the anti-Semitism crisis under Jeremy Corbyn".