Jeremy Corbyn and Owen Smith clashed over antisemitism last night as part of the first Labour leadership debate, with Mr Smith appearing to criticise the Labour leader’s response to the issue.

Referring to the crisis engulfing the party over antisemitism in its ranks, the Welsh MP said: “I ask you, Jeremy, how has this happened? How has this happened under the last nine months? Because it is growing in our movement.”

Mr Corbyn responded: “Many of the cases that were investigated actually pre-date my leadership.”

Mr Smith pledged that, should he become leader, there would be a “zero tolerance” approach towards antisemitism.

Members guilty of Jew-hatred “would be out of our party and would not be coming back. No short-term measures, no short-term suspension – they would be out and they would never come back to the Labour party.”

Several Labour figures, including Ken Livingstone, are currently suspended from the party.

Last month Naz Shah, the MP for Bradford West, was readmitted to the party after being suspended in April for antisemitic posts made in 2014. Ms Shah expressed remorse for her comments, apologising “unequivocally”.