Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Thursday that antisemitism within the party was “dramatically overstated” by his opponents and the media, a combination he said “hurt Jewish people”.

Mr Corbyn's statement came in the wake of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's report into antisemitism in the party, which found unlawful acts of discrimination and harassment.

The Islington North MP said the party’s disciplinary process “were not fit for purpose” when he took over in 2015 and "regretted it took longer to deliver that change than it should".

He said that he did not accept all of the report’s findings, but added: “I trust its recommendations will be swiftly implemented to help move on from this period.”

“One antisemite is one too many,  but the scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the party, as well as by much of the media. That combination hurt Jewish people and must never be repeated,” Mr Corbyn said.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was challenged several times about Mr Corbyn’s statement during a press conference Thursday. 

“I’ll look carefully at what Jeremy Corbyn has said in full but I’ve said a moment ago and I’ll say it again, those that deny it’s a problem are part of the problem.

“Those that pretend it’s exaggerated or factional are part of the problem and under my leadership we will have zero tolerance of antisemitism."

Earlier, Sir Keir praised the “comprehensive, rigorous, and thoroughly professional report” and pledged to set up an “independent complaints process”.