There is a "significant" overlap between antisemitism and conspiracy theories, Michael Gove has said.

The Communities Secretary made the point after King's College London undertook a study to find out if antisemitism was more common among those on the political left, or on the right.

The study concluded that “antisemitism may be less closely linked to political beliefs than has previously been implied, and more closely linked to opinions and views on other topics such as religion, ethnic nationalism, and conspiracy theories.”

The study also found those with a susceptibility to conspiracy theories were most likely to be antisemites.

Responding to a question from Labour MP Alex Sobel, Gove replied: "He is absolutely right. There is a significant overlap between antisemitism and conspiracy theories.

Alex Sobel

Labour MP Alex Sobel (Photo: UK Parliament)

"And it is the case that many of the tricks that conspiracists use are drawn from the antisemitic library, but it is important with the Online Safety Bill to balance the right to free speech with vigilance in dealing with hate and this Government is absolutely committed to combating antisemitism wherever it rears its head."

The Leeds North West MP had asked him in the Commons: "Did the Secretary of State see the research from King's College showing that those who believe in conspiracies are most likely to be antisemitic. 

“Much of this antisemitism takes place online, but is legal but harmful.

"What is the Secretary of State doing to tackle conspiracism, misinformation and fake news and why are the measures in the Online Safety Bill so weak and why have the Government removed the legal but harmful provision which protects so much of the Jewish community?"

As part of the study, published in the journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 2,600 people were surveyed.

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Kings College London (Photo: Getty)

Dr Daniel Allington, from Kings College, said: “Whether we look at the left or the right of the political spectrum, we find people who are antisemitic and people who aren’t.

“Our findings help us to get beyond the question of whether antisemitism is more of a problem on the right or on the left.

"What we found is that antisemitic views are more likely among conspiracy theorists, revolutionaries and people who see dictatorship as an acceptable form of government.”

Researchers from Goldsmiths, University of London and Arden University were also involved in the study.