Sunak references Jeremy Corbyn as why Brits 'can't trust Labour'
This morning, Keir Starmer was keen to boast that Labour is a “changed party” since he took over from Jeremy Corbyn.
However that claim is now facing scrutiny after a local Labour Party branch endorsed a former candidate who was suspended amid the Rochdale by-election antisemitism scandal.
Graham Jones, the former MP for Hyndburn, was booted out of the party after he was caught saying that the Israel-Hamas war was “f***ing Israel again”, as well as saying that Brits going to fight for the Israeli Defence Force should be “locked up”.
Contrary to his suspension, however, his former Labour branch has now unanimously sent a letter of support for the disgraced politician to head office, demanding he be allowed to stand as the party’s Hyndburn candidate.
In a Facebook post by the local branch, chairman Andy Tatchell described the former Labour MP as a “dedicated and passionate advocate for our party and our community”, adding that it is “crucial to stand by him during this challenging time”.
READ MORE: New crisis for Labour as candidate suspended for ‘f*****g Israel' comment
Hyndburn Labour has emphatically backed the suspended candidate (Image: Hyndburn Labour Facebook)
Mr Jones’s comments came shortly after Rochdale by-election candidate Aznar Ali was suspended mid-campaign for alleged antisemitic comments.
While Graham Jones is clearly the local choice despite his past controversy, it is understood he is not the candidate at the present time and remains suspended.
Keir Starmer’s claim that Labour is a "changed party” was further undermined after he refused to say whether Diane Abbott would be welcomed back into Labour before the election.
Challenged on LBC, he revealed that Ms Abbott’s investigation after she was suspended for alleged antisemitic comments would be resolved “very soon”.
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Sir Keir has also raised concerns that Diane Abbott could be readmitted as a Labour MP (Image: Getty)
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He was asked: “There seems to be room for Natalie Elphicke down in Dover, but not Diane Abbott up here in London. Can you welcome Diane Abbott back to your happy fold?”
Sir Keir refused to rule out such a move, but acknowledge it would have to be resolved “very soon now because I think the deadline is [approaching]”.
While Diane Abbott has many hard-left supporters, she caused fury in 2023 when she wrote a letter to the Observer claiming that Irish, Jewish and Traveller people are not subject to racism “all their lives”.
Responding to her claims, the Board of Deputies of British Jews described them as "disgraceful" and her apology "entirely unconvincing".
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Jewish Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge called the letter “deeply offensive and deeply distressing”.
Amid the growing concerns about the Labour Party, deputy Tory chairman Jack Lopresti MP warned: ”Sir Keir Starmer claims he is leading a changed party but it's clear that nothing has changed - Labour is still the party of hatred”.
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"When a local Labour association is actively trying to install a man suspended for antisemitism, it just goes to show Sir Keir has no control of his ranks. If he hasn’t got the courage to stand up to his own party, how can he stand up for the country?
"The Conservatives will take bold action to deliver a secure future for you and your family, while all Labour offers is more uncertainty."
The Labour Party has been offered the opportunity to comment.
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