Former Labour MP Ruth Smeeth has begun a new role as chief executive of the respected Index Against Censorship organisation,  which champions free speech.

The former Stoke on Trent North MP and Jewish Labour Movement parliamentary chair began her new job on Monday having previously been one of Jeremy Corbyn’s most outspoken critics over his failure to tackle antisemitism.

Ms Smeeth wrote on social media of her new job: “Across the UK and around the world,  free speech is under attack — and we need to fight to protect it. I can't wait to get stuck in”.

The Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat said of Ms Smeeth’s new role: “This is a great appointment at an important time for free speech.

“Ruth Smeeth has shown she has the courage to speak out and will no doubt continue to do so. This is good news, whatever side of any argument you're on.’’

She told the Evening Standard: “If I’ve learned anything over the last five years it’s how important genuine free speech really is, how important facts are and how lucky we are in the UK to have a free press.

“As we’ve seen in recent months — from Covid-19 and Black Lives Matters to trans rights and the Hong Kong protests — the debate on free speech as been at the heart of public conversation.”

Index On Censorship’s chair is Trevor Phillips OBE, who is currently suspended from Labour over allegations of Islamophobia.

Ms Smeeth replaces previous chief executive Jodie Ginsberg, who  stepped down after five and a half years in the role.