Third trade union boss urges Labour to change tack on anti-Semitism code
2 min read
A third major trade union leader has urged Jeremy Corbyn to change course over the Labour party code on anti-Semitism.
Paddy Lillis, boss of Usdaw and a member of the Labour ruling National Executive Committee, said the party should “immediately” adopt an internationally-recognised anti-Semitism definition.
It comes after GMB boss Tim Roache and Unison boss Dave Prentis joined the calls from Jewish groups, MPs and even some close allies of the Labour leader for Mr Corbyn to change course.
Labour has refused to implement into its new code of conduct four examples of anti-Semitism from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition - arguing they stifle criticism of Israel.
But Mr Lillis told the Jewish News: “Jeremy Corbyn has clearly stated that there is a problem with anti-Semitism in the Labour party and he is right in his determination to tackle it.
“If we are to do that, it is essential that the party regains the trust of Jewish communities.
“As a first step we should immediately amend the code of conduct to adopt the full International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism, including the examples.”
Meanwhile, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has been forced to deny he mulled quitting over the way the anti-Semitism crisis had been handled by aides of Mr Corbyn.
According to the Mail on Sunday he had been left furious by their actions - particularly those of top aide Karie Murphy - and relations between himself and Mr Corbyn have been plunged into a “deep freeze”.
One source told the paper Mr McDonnell thought the party was “shooting itself in the foot” while another complained that the leadership office “don’t treat [the Shadow Chancellor] with respect”.
But asked whether he had been on the verge of quitting over the anti-Semitism row, Mr McDonnell told the paper: “I have never expressed any such views or had such thoughts.”
This week Mr Corbyn was accused of comparing Israeli government actions with those of the Nazis in Europe, while earlier this week footage emerged appearing to show him questioning Israel's right to exist.
Yesterday the Daily Mail claimed Mr Corbyn took part in a memorial for Palestinian terror leaders linked to the 1972 Munich Massacre - but a Labour source rejected the claims.
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