Labour's Ruth Smeeth, Ian Austin and John Mann demand Labour re-open probe into OULC antisemitism
January 24, 2017 09:12Lee Harpin
Furious Labour MPs have called on the party to re-open an investigation into alleged antisemitism by two students at Oxford University.
During a meeting of the parliamentary Labour party on Monday night, MPs Ian Austin, Ruth Smeeth and John Mann all hit out at the NEC's ruling.
The JC revealed last week how the party's national executive committee had decided that no action was being taken against the pair, both members of the Oxford University Labour Club.
This was despite party bosses ruling that the students, who were both supporters of leader Jeremy Corbyn, should be given a warning for their behaviour.
Speaking at Monday's PLP meeting Mr Austin said: "Last week's decision resulted in fury in the Jewish community and has been criticised by the Chief Rabbi, the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Labour Movement and the all-party group on anti-Semitism.
"There was a poll last year that showed that the Labour party now has the support of 8% of the Jewish community - a party that can only rely on the support of 8% of any community doesn't deserve the support of anybody else. This has to be looked at again."
Mr Mann, who is chair of the all-party group, said: "This decision brought shame on the Labour party."
Labour peer Baroness Royall - whose own probe into the affair found there had been incidents of anti-Semitism by members of the club - had openly condemned the NEC's decision to drop the investigation.
She said last week: "I am deeply disappointed by the outcome and fear it will further harm relations between the Jewish community and our party by confirming a widely held view that we do not take antisemitism seriously.
"It also doesn't bode well for the outcome of the ongoing inquiry into Ken Livingstone's behaviour."
Chief Rabbi Ephraim also expressed his dismay at the decision saying: "Having visited Oxford University and heard first-hand accounts from Jewish members of the OULC I am deeply disappointed by this decision as I know many others will be.
"Assurances that antisemitism is not tolerated in the Labour Party continue to ring hollow in the absense of appropriate disciplinary action."
Last night Labour general secretary Iain McNicol said MPs concerned about the decision should take it up with NEC members.
Following the claims last February, Baroness Royall, a Labour peer, conducted an internal inquiry into claims of antisemitism at the club.
She received 300 pages of evidence from more than 40 OULC members and interviewed eight group members.
Jeremy Newmark, national chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, added: “The decision rides roughshod over concerns and experiences of our student members."
Alex Chalmers, whose resignation from OULC in February 2016 over claims of antisemitism at the club triggered by a vote to support Israel Apartheid Week, said: “This latest news is disappointing but unsurprising.
“It is entirely in line with the lack of transparency and response of certain parts of the Labour leadership to the claims of antisemitism.”
The Community Security Trust said: “Jewish students have been badly let down by Labour. This sends an appalling message that will be heard across the community.”