Momentum has dropped Peter Willsman from its slate for the elections to Labour’s ruling body after he suggested Jewish “Trump fanatics” were behind accusations of antisemitism in the party’s ranks.
The national coordinating group of the pro-Jeremy Corbyn pressure group said that the activist’s remarks were “deeply insensitive and inappropriate” and had angered many in the Jewish community.
“Our movement is more than half a million strong and we must hold those who represent us to an even higher standard than ordinary Labour party members,” it said.
Momentum has been under growing pressure to remove Willsman from its “JC9” slate for re-election after he was recorded at a national executive committee (NEC) meeting earlier this month blaming some of the antisemitism claims the party faced on Jewish “Trump fanatics” who were “making up duff information”.
Its decision now puts the Labour leadership under pressure to reconsider disciplinary action against the party activist or even suspend him from the NEC.
News of Willsman’s deselection came on the same day that Corbyn apologised for the “concerns and anxiety caused” after he took part in an event where the actions of Israel in Gaza were compared to the Nazis.
The Labour leader acknowledged he had appeared with people “whose views I completely reject” when he hosted a Holocaust Memorial Day event in 2010, while he was a backbench MP.
The main talk at the event, called Never Again for Anyone – Auschwitz to Gaza, was given by Hajo Meyer, a Jewish survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp. He repeatedly compared Israeli action in Gaza to the mass killing of Jewish people in the Holocaust.
Corbyn said: “Views were expressed at the meeting which I do not accept or condone. In the past, in pursuit of justice for the Palestinian people and peace in Israel/Palestine, I have on occasion appeared on platforms with people whose views I completely reject. I apologise for the concerns and anxiety that this has caused.”
The Labour MP John Mann said it was “extraordinary” for an MP to have hosted such an event. “It breaches any form of normal decency. I am not sure how he got himself into that situation but I am pleased he apologised,” he said on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Talking about the broader issue of antisemitism, Mann said Labour under Corbyn should now adopt in full the definition of antisemitism accepted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
Debate in the party has focused on the party’s new code of conduct on antisemitism and the fact it features the internationally accepted definition but does not replicate in full a list of examples of antisemitism published by the IHRA alongside its definition.
After the new code was adopted, Corbyn faced anger from many MPs who argued that it had been watered down, including Dame Margaret Hodge who confronted the Labour leader in the Commons and accused him of being an “antisemitic racist”.
Hodge faces a disciplinary inquiry over her conduct, although there have been calls by many in the party to drop the investigation, including from the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell.
Willsman’s comments were made at an NEC meeting debating whether to adopt the IHRA definition. In his apology he acknowledged their offensive nature and said he had referred himself for equalities training, but the move effectively destroys his chances of being voted back on to the NEC.
He said: “I recognise the offensive nature of my comments and that in diminishing the experiences of those who face antisemitism in our party and society I showed a lack of the sensitivity required for discussions around racism.”
A Momentum spokesman said: “While it is welcome that he has made a full apology and will attend equalities training, his comments were deeply insensitive and inappropriate for a Momentum-backed NEC candidate.”
He added: “We must acknowledge the anger and upset felt within the British Jewish community and reaffirm our commitment to rooting out antisemitism both in the party and across society.
“We recognise Pete’s many years of service to the movement. In the coming months, we will review how we choose NEC candidates and work with other groups to make sure that our process is as open and transparent as possible.”
Richard Angell, the director of Progress, Labour’s centre-left movement, said: “This half-measure is welcome from Momentum but Pete Willsman should not just be off their slate but off the whole NEC and facing disciplinary action.
“It is time that zero tolerance on antisemitism meant something, not warm words for PR purposes. Momentum should really be demanding he resign his NEC seat and no longer have a say at Labour’s top table. Having lost the support of those who put him there, it is time he consider his position.”
Pippa Crerar and Sarah Marsh
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