The secretary of Jewish Voice For Labour has sparked fury by telling Labour activists that antisemitism allegations are “made up” to discredit Jeremy Corbyn.

Glyn Secker was speaking at a meeting of Dulwich and West Norwood Labour branch last Thursday against a move by some members to acknowledge that Luciana Berger quit, in part at least, because of antisemitism she had received as a Jewish MP.

Opposing the wording of an amendment proposed by left-wingers which condemned the foundation of The Independent Group which Ms Berger had joined, Mr Secker told the meeting: “What has happened is that there has been a major campaign of misusing antisemitism.

“And I say that as someone whose family has perished in the Holocaust, and my partner’s family… These allegations have been made up in order to discredit the leadership.”

After his speech, in which Mr Secker pointed to the publication of data by Labour General Secretary Jennie Formby which showed 12 people had been expelled by the party since last April, the JVL activist was applauded by other far-left activists at the meeting.

But several members of the local party reacted angrily to Mr Secker, who said he was speaking for “Jewish members supporting the Labour Party leadership in this current situation.”

These members have now reported him to Ms Formby for investigation.

Dulwich and West Norwood CLP has been dogged by complaints of antisemitism. One Jewish member accused the branch of becoming a “hostile environment” for those who challenged Holocaust denial.

Mr Secker was briefly suspended by Labour – over his membership of the Palestine Live Facebook group - was over-turned after it was decided he did not post antisemitic material on the group.

Jeremy Corbyn quit the Facebook group when he became leader.

In 2010, Mr Secker, a leading member of Jews for Justice for Palestinians, captained a boat aimed at reaching Gaza and breaking an Israeli naval blockade of the port.