The deputy leader said he expected his boss, Corbyn, to be personally involved in resolving complaints
Labour’s deputy leader has demanded Jeremy Corbyn take action personally to resolve the anti-Semitism crisis shaking the party.
Tom Watson said his leader must take a “personal lead” in dealing with anti-Semitism complaints.
Last week eight Labour MPs splintered from the party, resigning and opting to sit as the Independent Group in parliament. Three Conservatives have also quit and crossed the floor.
The Labour departures held a press conference, led by MP Luciana Berger, and cited anti-Semitism and racism as factors in their decision to quit.
Watson said he had sent 50 specific cases of anti-Semitism to Corbyn, who understands the situation requires a “personal intervention.”
The deputy leader said Berger had been “bullied out of the party by a small number of racist thugs.” He continued: “Of course Jeremy needs to understand that if we’re going to be in Number 10, he needs to change the Labour Party and there are things we need to do.
“We’ve got to eradicate anti-Semitism, anti-Jewish racism in all its forms [and] for us to address that now, I think he needs to take a personal lead on examining those cases and if necessary, recommend it to our National Executive Committee what needs to be done.”
There is almost a crisis for the soul of the Labour Party. Everyone that cares about our future – whatever tradition they represent – has to find it within themselves to work more closely together. And that is as big a challenge for Jeremy as it is for me. #Marr pic.twitter.com/qIRDtRV6nX
— Tom Watson (@tom_watson) February 24, 2019
A Labour spokesperson, responding to Watson’s Andrew Marr Show appearance, said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints of anti-Semitism extremely seriously and we are committed to challenging and campaigning against it in all its forms.
“All complaints about anti-Semitism are investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.”
Tom Watson touched on the mood of the country with his closing remarks of the no confidence motion.
It is a shame the Tories didn’t listen. pic.twitter.com/Rhx7ReuuxW
— PoliticsJOE (@PoliticsJOE_UK) January 16, 2019
Watson has been busy this year, closing the opposition side of debate during the meaningful vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal and vocal over the last week as MPs split from his party.
