A member of Labour’s national executive committee faces criticism over liking a tweet which claimed a “Jewish conspiracy” had taken place within the party.

The tweet, posted by Twitter user Mike Hamblett and liked by Darren Williams, a Welsh trade unionist and constituency party representative on the NEC, took aim at the @GnasherJew twitter account, which reports antisemitic social media activity from Labour figures.

It read: “There are conspiracies by Jews – one of them being the #GnasherJew site – there are conspiracies in all walks of life – I believe #GnasherJew is causing a lot of grief for decent Jews in Britain who don’t like fanaticism – so counter-productive”

In a statement, Mr Williams defended himself against accusations of antisemitism, adding that he feared "certain individuals" misuse accusations of antisemitism to target "those who are merely voicing legitimate criticisms of the Israeli state".

According to his website, Mr Williams has served on both the NEC and Labour’s Welsh Executive Committee, and previously worked as a researcher and press officer for two Welsh Assembly members.

There are conspiracies by Jews- one of them being the #GnasherJew site - there are conspiracies in all walks of life - I believe #GnasherJew is causing a lot of grief for decent Jews in Britain who don't like fanaticism - so counter-productive

— mike hamblett. (@HamblettMike) January 19, 2018

Red Roar, which first reported the story, claimed that Mr Williams is a "high profile" figure in the party.

Mr Williams previously courted controversy in 2013, when he suggested in a Facebook post that Tony Blair should have “shared Margaret Thatcher’s coffin”.

He later issued an unreserved apology.

Mr Williams has not responded to an approach by the JC for a comment.