A Steve Bell cartoon in the Guardian depicting Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer carrying Jeremy Corbyn’s decapitated head on a golden plate following Mr Corbyn’s suspension from the party has provoked an angry response.

Critics accused the cartoon of “antisemitism” for appearing to draw parallels between Mr Corbyn’s situation and the Biblical story of Salome and John the Baptist.

Online users compared Mr Bell’s cartoon to the Caravaggio painting, Salome with the Head of Saint John the Baptist, depicting the princess of Judea looking away as she receives the preacher’s dismembered head on a platter. 

In the New Testament story, which has inspired many works of art, Salome demands John the Baptist's execution as reward for dancing for King Herod.

One online contributor said the cartoon was "essentially a reincarnation" of John the Baptist, who was "killed by the corruption and immorality of more worldly corrupted figures around him”.

Others criticised the timing, citing the woman in Nice who was reportedly decapitated in a terror attack on Thursday. But some defended the cartoonist’s right to free speech.

A Guardian spokesperson told the JC: "The Steve Bell cartoon published today portrays his observation on the recent events in the Labour Party."

Some complaints have been received which the readers’ editor is looking into.

Mr Bell has previously been accused of using antisemitic tropes in cartoons, which he denies.