KEN OUT
Ken Livingstone finally quits Labour party over anti-Semitism scandal
Jeremy Corbyn said he was 'sad' at the news that the ex-London Mayor had left Labour
SHAMED Ken Livingstone tonight finally quit Labour two years after being suspended over anti-Semitism claims.
Jeremy Corbyn said he was "sad" to see the former London Mayor resign from the party.
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But moderate Labour MPs said "good riddance" to the hard-left veteran who disgraced himself by repeatedly comparing Israel to Hitler.
And Ken refused to accept that he was wrong, insisting his outlandish and offensive claims were historically accurate.
Mr Livingstone has previously vowed to fight the misconduct claims against him after spending two years on suspension from Labour.
But tonight he told The Sun he had decided to go because it the case was becoming a "distraction" for his old friend Mr Corbyn. He tipped off the leader's office yesterday.
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He had been called to Labour HQ on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing into his case this week - but denied he had quit because he was about to be expelled.
Ken told The Sun: "I just think it's dragged on for two years, it's a distraction for Jeremy's leadership. The Met doesn’t take two years to solve a murder but it’s two years since the original case was heard.
"I just didn't see the point of dragging it on for another two years. I mean I'm not allowed to campaign for the General Election, the local elections. It's driven me mad."
Asked if he had a message for his critics, the defiant ex-Mayor said: "My broad view is that if you are going to be in public life, always speak the truth."
In a statement, he added: "I do not accept the allegation that I have brought the Labour Party into disrepute – nor that I am in any way guilty of anti-Semitism.
"I abhor anti-Semitism, I have fought it all my life and will continue to do so.
"I also recognise that the way I made a historical argument has caused offence and upset in the Jewish community. I am truly sorry for that."
Mr Livingstone repeatedly claimed that Hitler allied himself with Jewish groups before he "went mad" and turned on them.
Mr Corbyn said: "Ken Livingstone's resignation is sad after such a long and vital contribution to London and progressive politics, but was the right thing to do."
But centrist Labour MPs suggested that Mr Livingstone's resignation was long overdue.
Ruth Smeeth, a Jewish MP who's suffered vile anti-Semitic abuse, said: "His departure is welcome, but the fact that he still refuses to accept responsibility for his actions is a disgrace.
"The truth is that Ken's despicable and hurtful attitude should have seen him expelled years ago, and the fact that it has taken this long beggars belief.
"Nevertheless, we can all take some solace today that he and his toxic views no longer pollute our party. Good riddance."
Current Mayor Sadiq Khan added: "Let's hope this draws a line under this issue and Labour will continue to focus relentlessly on making sure there is no place in our party for anyone with anti-Semitic views."
And Stella Creasy said the two-year probe into Ken's behaviour should continue, in order to send a message to other Labour members.
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But far-left MP Chris Williamson stood up for him, writing on Twitter: "Ken Livingstone remains a towering figure of the Labour movement."
Tory deputy chairman James Cleverly blasted: "All Jeremy Corbyn could muster was that it was sad that Ken had chosen to go.
"If Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party were serious about tackling anti-Semitic racism within the party they would have kicked out Livingstone two years ago."
Mr Livingstone - previously kicked out of Labour for standing against the party, before being let back in - has been suspended since April 2016.
He was the first high-profile figure caught up in Labour's anti-Semitism scandal after taking to the airwaves to discuss his theories about Hitler.
But Jewish groups were left furious as the probe into his behaviour dragged on - accusing Mr Corbyn of not taking the allegations seriously enough.
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Community leaders who met the Labour boss recently set him a deadline of the end of July to resolve Mr Livingstone's case.
And the disgraced 72-year-old was hauled over the coals by party chiefs when it emerged he'd been campaigning for Labour during the local elections.
Mr Livingstone served as London Mayor from 2000 to 2008, having previously been head of the Greater London Council and spent 14 years as an MP.
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