The JC received an email on Wednesday evening from Carlos Soto, a member of “Jenny’s Campaign Team”, who cited a “lack of media accreditation and underpayment” as reasons for the decision.
Attendees were asked to make a monetary donation to Ms Manson’s campaign. This newspaper donated £1.
It is understood that the Jewish News was also blocked from the event, as were David Collier and Euan Philipps, two prominent campaigners against antisemitism. Organisers have since confirmed journalists will be admitted.
Mr Soto said: “I cannot comment on individual cases. The JC was rejected because the journalist did not apply for press accreditation and he did not make the correct donation of £8.”
He said people who made a donation below £8 had their tickets rejected or "were given the opportunity to make up the difference".
It has also emerged that a group of young Labour activists from Barnet wrote to Mr McDonnell last month to express concern over his apparent endorsement of Ms Manson.
They cited Ms Manson’s alleged support for Tony Greenstein, an anti-Israel activist who has been suspended from the Labour Party, and her “toleration of antisemitism”, urging the Shadow Chancellor to “disavow support for Jenny Manson’s candidacy at the earliest opportunity”.
Mr McDonnell said: "Jenny is a good friend and I am fulfilling a longstanding commitment I gave her to offer her my support in seeking selection as a candidate."
