LABOUR says Jewish MP Charlotte Nichols has a crucial role to play as the party vows to ‘root out’ anti-Semitism and rebuild trust.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) found Labour responsible for ‘unlawful’ acts of harassment and discrimination during Jeremy Corbyn’s time as leader.

Mr Corbyn was suspended on Thursday after he reacted to the damning report into anti-Semitism by claiming the scale of the problem was ‘dramatically overstated’ for political reasons by opponents inside and outside the party.

He also acknowledged there is anti-Semitism in the party and said he regrets it ‘took longer’ to deliver change and deal with it than it should have.

The EHRC found Labour responsible for three breaches of the Equality Act.

These were over political interference in anti-Semitism complaints, failure to provide adequate training to those handling anti-Semitism complaints and harassment.

Labour borough councillor Tom Jennings – who serves Bewsey and Whitecross – took to Twitter to express his views on Thursday.

He said the day was for those who have suffered harassment and discrimination to be listened to after being ‘ignored for far too long’.

Meanwhile, he says the Jewish Labour Movement’s voice must be heard above all others and that he is ‘proud to stand alongside them’.

He said: “A catalogue of failures, active interference, and unlawful conduct from the leadership, that facilitated anti-Semitism becoming normalised, led to anti-Jewish racism gaining ground in our ranks from 2015.

“From the grassroots to the new leadership, we all must ensure this shameful chapter in our party’s history is never allowed to repeat itself.

“As members of a party committed to equality and anti-racism, we should all be in full support of Keir’s call to change our culture.”

The party’s Warrington North MP Ms Nichols, who is Jewish, won her seat in last year’s general election.

Warrington Guardian:

Charlotte Nichols campaigning with then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and activists

Labour says Sir Keir Starmer has been clear that his first priority as Labour leader is to root out anti-Semitism within the party and rebuild trust.

“That means working with the EHRC and communities across the country,” added a spokesman.

“Jewish MPs such as Charlotte, who have a clear, personal understanding of the scourge of anti-Semitism, have a crucial role to play in this.”

Wendy Maisey OBE, chair of Warrington Conservatives and a campaigner for more women in politics, has issued a statement.

She said: “An issue like anti-Semitism is above party politics and I was personally sad to see the resignations of the two talented Jewish female Labour MPs in Liverpool, especially Luciana Berger who was an inspiration to many young women to get into politics.

“Charlotte Nichols was a key part of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership campaign and she also campaigned in the December 2019 general election to see him elected as Prime Minister.

“She should tell the people of Warrington what she knew about anti-Semitism inside the Labour Party during Corbyn’s time as the leader, especially as she was living in Islington around the time he was leader of the Labour Party.

“Keir Starmer may state the Labour Party is ‘under new management’ but yesterday he failed to say seven times that he would take action against Corbyn until he was pushed to do so. This is hardly leadership.”