Jeremy Corbyn has been accused of backtracking over a previous commitment made by Labour’s ruling body to adopt the full  International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition on antisemitism

A letter seen by the JC, which was written by the party’s  previous General Secretary Iain McNicol clearly states that the “NEC has formally adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism.”

The same letter adds: “I have enclosed the full IHRA guidance document which was adopted by the NEC.”

On Wednesday, Labour confirmed that having adopted the IHRA definition in 2017 the party had not adopted the full list of examples set out beneath the definition.

They also insisted they are working their own more extensive list of examples of antisemtism.

But after Tuesday’s meeting between the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council  and the Labour leader, Jewish leaders said that Mr Corbyn had rejected their call to adopt the IHRA definition in full.

Speaking to the JC on Wednesday, Jonathan Goldstein, chair of the JLC, described Mr Corbyn’s position on the issue as “a backtrack.”

He added: "Adopting it in full implies adopting the definition and examples - so that people understand what the words mean in the definition.

“The full definition has been adopted by the CPS, the police, 132 local authorities and the Scottish and Welsh governments.

“But they (Mr Corbyn and new General Secretary Jennie Formby) are not prepared to adopt the examples."

In a statement a Labour spokesperson said: “Labour agrees with the IHRA "working definition" of anti-Semitism as 'a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.' ”

Read the letter in full below: