The Labour Party’s shadow defence secretary has pledged to thoroughly examine any individuals who do not align with the party’s principles and values, to maintain the highest level of integrity within the organisation.
The Labour Party has been embroiled in a controversy surrounding allegations of anti-Semitism, with two high-profile members facing disciplinary action.
Parliamentary candidate Graham Jones was suspended on Tuesday, February, 13, just a day after the party withdrew its support for Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali.
The developments come as Keir Starmer’s leadership faces scrutiny over its handling of the issue.
Mr Starmer was forced to act after an audio recording captured Mr. Jones using the words “f****** Israel” at the same meeting Mr. Ali attended, while also allegedly suggesting that British people who volunteer to fight with the Israel Defence Forces should be “locked up”.
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, on Monday, February 12, said: “Anyone at that meeting, if there is evidence that they have, that people acted or spoke in a way that doesn’t meet the standards, or is incompatible with the values of our Labour Party, they need to report it, provide it and the Labour Party will take it seriously and investigate it.
He also stated, “It’s what we do with every case.”
In response to inquiries regarding the vetting process of Mr Ali, Mr Healey emphasized that the Rochdale candidate enjoys widespread respect and support from various communities, including the Jewish community in the North West.
He stated there are “strong checks” and “due diligence” in the process. “But you can’t see everything everywhere. What’s important is that if new information comes to light, as in this case, we will act to investigate, we will act to block those who are not fit to serve as MPs,” he added.
Despite the recent allegations, Mr. Ali will still appear on the ballot paper as the Labour Party’s choice, as it is too late to replace him as the Labour candidate.
For the first time since the allegations surfaced, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer addressed the controversy on Tuesday, February 13.
“Information came to light over the weekend in relation to the candidate [and] there was a fulsome apology. Further information came to light yesterday calling for decisive action, so I took decisive action,” he said.
Labour Party Under Criticism
Keir Starmer stated, “It is a huge thing to withdraw support for a Labour candidate during the course of a by-election. It’s a tough decision, a necessary decision, but when I say the Labour party has changed under my leadership I mean it.”
Critics of the Labour Party have asserted that the party should have taken more assertive action earlier. Some individuals have suggested that Mr. Ali may have received special consideration due to his alignment with the party’s leadership.
Martin Forde, the lawyer who has previously investigated allegations of bullying, racism, and sexism in the party, remarked, “One does have to question how such individuals are selected in the first place – and also the disparity in treatment.”
He added: “One of the things that concerned us when we talked about weaponisation was certainly the perception that antisemitism was along factional lines.”
Mr. Healy acknowledged that the Labour Party is composed of individuals with imperfections and that sometimes, party members may make mistakes or express views that others find objectionable. In such situations, the crucial question is how the party responds.
“We have an independent investigations process and when it concerns candidates or MPs, we expect as the public does the very highest standards,” he added.
Mr. Healy’s comments arise amidst intensified scrutiny of antisemitism within the Labour Party, which has now extended to two additional prospective parliamentary candidates who attended the same meeting.
On Tuesday, former Labour MP for Hyndburn, Graham Jones – who is seeking to stand as a Labour candidate again at the next election – was suspended after allegedly referring to “f***ing Israel” and saying UK citizens who volunteer to fight for the Israeli Defence Forces “should be locked up”.
READ ALSO: Starmer Asserts “Decisive” Move In Withdrawing Support From Rochdale Candidate
