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Property developer decides to donate to Labour again

David Abrahams said he had been ‘impressed’ by Sir Keir Starmer, having stopped giving money over the party’s antisemitism crisis

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A Jewish Labour donor who turned off the taps in 2016 in protest over the party’s handling of antisemitism said he is now donating again.
 
Newcastle-born property developer David Abrahams told the JC he had been “impressed” by Sir Keir Starmer’s efforts to “make amends” shortly after being elected Labour leader.
 
Mr Abrahams, who campaigned for Sir Keir during the leadership contest earlier this year, received a letter from the party asking whether he would consider offering his support. 
 
“I thought about it and I looked at the [Equality and Human Rights Commission] report and saw the reaction and I thought why not,” he said, in reference to the watchdog’s findings on alleged antisemitism in Labour.
 
Sir Keir pledged to set up an independent complaints process after the long-awaited report found “unlawful” acts of discrimination and harassment.
 
“I didn’t have to search my soul very deeply," Mr Abrahams said. "I'm soft left, and it’s as simple as that. Always have been and always will be."
 
Mr Abraham previously drew headlines in 2007 after reports he donated £650,000 to the party through intermediaries. No charges were brought against him.

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