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Corbyn gives interview to website under investigation by government antisemitism adviser

Former Labour leader’s interview with The Canary sparks anger

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Jeremy Corbyn has taken part in what he said was a “fantastic” interview with The Canary – a website currently under investigation by the government’s independent adviser on antisemitism, Lord Mann.

The former Labour leader will appear in a video podcast on Thursday having been interviewed by The Canary’s notorious editor-in-chief, Kerry-Anne Mendoza.

Promoting the broadcast on social media, Mr Corbyn is recorded saying: “I’ve really enjoyed the interview. Fantastic. Thank you Canary. So let’s all support The Canary.”

Ms Mendoza described the interview as “inspirational”.

Dave Rich, of the Community Security Trust, reacted to Mr Corbyn’s decision to appear on the website by tweeting: “Jeremy Corbyn appearing on the Canary is not an anomaly, it is perfectly aligned with his decades-long political career and his well-known personal views. You can stop pretending otherwise now that he is no longer Labour Party leader.”

Ms Mendoza has repeatedly sparked fury with her comments about Labour’s antisemitism crisis.

Another Canary journalist, Steve Topple, once wrote: “Maybe most Jews peaceful, but until they recognise and destroy their growing Zionist cancer they must be held responsible.”

Ms Mendoza was recently banned from Twitter following complaints about a post in which she compared those attending the Jewish Labour Movement’s conference to “white supremacists”.

In past she has defended former MP Chris Williamson and other Labour figures accused of antisemitism and, after Mr Corbyn’s defeat at the polls, suggested that those who opposed Labour over antisemitism would be attacked.

The editor-in-chief of the Canary also accused JC columnist Jonathan Freedland of “manufacturing” the general election result.  

In January 2020 she claimed celebrations over the completion of Brexit could turn into a  “21st century Kristallnacht" while in August she wrote, "Get Brexit done Build, build, build, Jobs, jobs, jobs Arbeit macht frei."

In December 2019,  Lord Mann  announced he would be “instigating an investigation this January into the role of the Canary and other websites in the growth of antisemitism in the United Kingdom.”

 

 

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