Labour frontbenchers rally round Jeremy Corbyn as he prepares to address anti-Semitism row
3 min read
Senior Labour frontbenchers have given Jeremy Corbyn their full support as he prepares to address Jewish concerns about his commitment to tackling anti-Semitism in the Labour party.
John McDonnell, Diane Abbott and Angela Rayner took part in a so-called 'Twitterstorm' on Thursday night pledging their backing for the Labour leader.
Mr Corbyn has come in for intense criticism in recent weeks over Labour's efforts to clamp down on anti-Jewish abuse.
That has stemmed from its ruling national executive committee's decision not to fully adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism.
It is understood that Mr Corbyn is planning to address the Jewish community in the next few days in an attempt to allay their concerns about his personal commitment to the issue.
Talks are understood to be ongoing between Labour and the Jewish Museum in north London about Mr Corbyn making a speech there next week, after an initial bid for it to take place today was rebuffed.
Despite the row, allies of the Labour leader used the #WeAreCorbyn hashtag to express their continuing support for him.
Mr McDonnell - who has pledged that the anti-Semitism controversy will be tackled by September - said: "I am proud to stand in absolute solidarity with my comrade and friend, Jeremy Corbyn, who has stood with me and so many others for decades in campaigns for peace, justice and against all forms of oppression and discrimination."
Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott said: "A leader with integrity that fights for justice, equality and against discrimination. I'm honoured to call him my friend and our Labour leader. We are for the many not the few."
Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner said: "Just got home and it seems my boss is trending #WeareCorbyn."
And Labour chair Ian Lavery said Mr Corbyn's support for striking miners in the 1980s meant he had his "full support".
Mr McDonnell's intervention is particularly significant because he is known to be angry at the way Mr Corbyn's office has handled the controversy.
That has led to speculation of a major split between the long-standing political allies.
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