New Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed he will "begin work immediately" to establish an independent complaints process to deal with antisemitism and other disciplinary cases within his party.

Writing for the JC, the former Director of Public Prosecutions also revealed that, after the coronavirus pandemic is over, he will be closing Labour’s offices for a day and "inviting representatives of the Jewish community to come in and facilitate a day’s training on antisemitism".

In a frank admission about the scale of Labour’s problem with anti-Jewish racism, Sir Keir writes: “We have to be honest that this a cultural problem and only by listening and learning can we change that.’’

The Holborn and St Pancras MP said the fight against antisemitism was "a moral imperative, not a political one."

He added: “The Jewish community makes Britain a better, stronger society. It is a community which inspires the nation."

In a clear break from the tone set by Jeremy Corbyn, Sir Keir also wrote that Passover was “a fitting moment for me to acknowledge the pain and hurt that the Labour Party has caused the Jewish community in recent years’.’

Stating that he wished to ‘’get a grip of this situation’’ even before the Equalities and Human Rights Commission published its report into his party, Sir Keir said he would be “requesting that a report on all outstanding cases of antisemitism within the party is on my desk by the end of this week and that there is a timetable for their resolution".

Reflecting his close links to the community – his wife Victoria is from a Jewish family – Sir Keir also wrote: "The Jewish community will be celebrating Passover in circumstances that could not have been imagined only a few weeks ago.”

He added: “A festival that over the centuries has been celebrated as the ultimate family moment will for so many be marked in a very different way…

"At a time when the Synagogues are closed and movement is restricted, Passover may well be an isolated one and all of my thoughts are with people during this difficult period.’’

Speaking to the JC in March Sir Keir revealed he participates in Friday night dinners with his wife Victoria and their family, at which his proudly Jewish father-in-law says prayers.