Labour has said it will investigate Chris Williamson’s “pattern of behaviour” after controversial interventions on the antisemitism crisis, including saying the party was "too apologetic" over the issue.
But despite widespread calls for his suspension and the withdrawal of the whip from Mr Williamson, the party announced no disciplinary measures.
A spokesman for Mr Corbyn had said earlier this his comments were "deeply offensive and fell below the standards expected of MPs".
BREAKING: Chris Williamson has been issued with a “notice of investigation for a pattern of behaviour” by Labour, spokesman for Jeremy Corbyn says. He will not be suspended during the investigation.
— Kevin Schofield (@PolhomeEditor) February 27, 2019
The MP, one of Jeremy Corbyn's biggest supporters in parliament, has come under fire in recent days after claiming Labour’s response to the antisemitism row had been “too apologetic”.
He was accused by the Board of Deputies of “trolling the Jewish community” for booking a committee room in Parliament for the screening of a documentary about activist Jackie Walker, who was suspended from the Labour Party over allegations of antisemitism.
The JC revealed he had branded parliamentarians who stood in solidarity with a Jewish MP “white privileged”.
A personal message and sincere apology from me regarding my recent remarks on anti-Semitism in the Labour Party. pic.twitter.com/2qaNCOVqGk
— Chris Williamson MP #GTTO (@DerbyChrisW) February 27, 2019
Mr Williamson issued an apology on Wednesday morning, expressing regret for his “choice of words” – yet maintaining there had been “very few cases of antisemitism”.
He said: “In future, I will take it upon myself to be more considered in my remarks, and ensure they reflect the Labour Party’s unswerving and unfaltering commitment to anti-racism and the fight against antisemitism.”
Chris Williamson has produced a long-winded and heavily caveated apology. It is not good enough. If it was in my gift I would have removed the whip from him already. pic.twitter.com/IuEpDM1Ak2
— Tom Watson (@tom_watson) February 27, 2019
Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, who called for the withdrawal of the whip from Mr Williamson and his suspension, called it a “long-winded and heavily caveated apology”, which “is not good enough”.
The Board of Deputies rejected Mr Williamson’s “half-hearted apology”, and called on Jeremy Corbyn to withdraw the whip “if he wants to retain the faintest image himself as an anti-racist”.
Marie van der Zyl, the Board’s president, said: “Chris Williamson trolls those who oppose antisemitism, repeatedly siding with the antisemites over the Jews.
“The two issues reported yesterday were just the latest in a long series of offences.”
