party's 'too sorry'
A Corbynista MP has reignited Labour’s anti-Semitism crisis by saying the party had been too apologetic over the issue
A CORBYNISTA MP has reignited Labour’s anti-Semitism crisis by claiming the party had been “too apologetic” about it.
Chris Williamson told an event hosted by the Jeremy Corbyn-supporting Momentum group that Labour had “given too much ground” to critics of the party’s handling of anti-Semitism complaints.
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The comments - - risk sparking fresh infighting in Labour over the way party chiefs have dealt with the crisis.
Several of the nine MPs who quit the party last week blamed their decision on Mr Corbyn’s failure to route out anti-Semites.
It came after Labour General Secretary Jennie Formby said anti-Semitism would never be eradicated from the party.
She revealed earlier this month that only 12 Labour activists had been expelled for anti-Semitism since the party’s racism crisis erupted.
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But Mr Williamson told the Momentum event:“The party that has done more to stand up to racism is now being demonised as a racist, bigoted party.
“I have got to say I think our party’s response has been partly responsible for that because in my opinion, we have backed off too much, we have given too much ground, we have been too apologetic.”
At the event Mr Williamson also revealed he reacted to the news of the nine Labour MPs who quit the party last week by singing 'Celebration' by the 1980s band Kool and the Gang.
In a separate controversy yesterday Mr Williamson was criticised for booking a room in Parliament to screen a film about an activist suspended from the Labour party over allegations of anti-Semitism.
He was due to host the "Witch Hunt" documentary, directed by Jon Pullman, which looks at anti-Semitism allegations in the party including those made against Ms Walker.
She was suspended by Labour over allegedly anti-Semitic comments in 2016.
A Labour Party spokesman slammed the Derby North MP's actions.
He said: "It's completely inappropriate to book a room for an event about an individual who is suspended from the party and subject to ongoing disciplinary procedures.
"This falls below the standards we expect of MPs."
The film was due to be screened in the House of Commons on March 4 but one of the organisers told the Press Association that the event would be moved following the criticism.
Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson said he reported the matter to the Chief Whip and General Secretary "as soon as" he found out about it.
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PM slams Labour MP Chris Williamson for saying the party has been 'too apologetic' over anti-Semitism
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