Activists protesting against Labour’s ban on hard-left groups have blamed the move on “Zionazi Blairites” and party leader Sir Keir Starmer’s “allegiance” to “foreign countries”.

A petition organised by Defend the Left has attracted more than 2,000 signatures since the NEC outlawed four groups “incompatible” with the party’s values last week.

The NEC proscribed Labour membership of pro-Corbyn groups Labour Against the Witch Hunt, Labour in Exile Network, Resist and Socialist Appeal.

Launching its petition, Defend the Left claimed the ban was the “latest salvo” in a war against pro-Corbyn supporters which had seen members gagged over “unfounded antisemitism claims”.

Some of those signing the petition claimed leader Keir Starmer was operating for a foreign power.  Others even claimed antisemitism would rise as a result.

One activist wrote: “Solidarity with comrades being witch hunted by Zionazi Blairites led by Sir Der Sturmer.”

Jewish Voice For Labour was not among the proscribed groups as it is believed they would have reasonable grounds to sue the party for discrimination. 

Another activist who signed said she was “absolutely disgusted” with the leadership’s “attack on democracy” and claimed the left was being “picked off one by one like in a shooting gallery”.

She added: “His (Starmer’s) allegiance seems to be elsewhere and not Britain….   He..has now created antisemitism himself by siding with the BoD and Zionism.

Another protester said he had signed the petition because: “Israel is a racist state and I want the freedom to oppose it through a socialist Labour party.”

Others pedalled conspiracy theories about the Labour leadership’s motives.

One protester wrote: “Sir is only obeying orders from outside foreign countries.”

Another branded Keir Starmer an “ineffective leader who is an apologist for right wing smear campaigns organised by one particularly country.”

In its statement, Defend the Left, said: “It follows the denial to Corbyn himself of the Labour Whip for more than eight months. It follows the silencing of free speech and democracy across the party with whole branches and CLPs being suspended and whole areas of discussion being suppressed, including legitimate expressions of no confidence in the leadership.

“Expressions of solidarity with Palestinians have been ruled out of order on the basis of unfounded antisemitism claims. Expulsion is no way to deal with political disagreements.”

At a marathon session last week, the NEC also approved plans for a new two tier independent complaints process.

The shake-up of complaints handling forms part of the action plan agreed with the Equality and Human Rights Commission in the wake of its damning report into antisemitism within Labour last October.

The decision will still need to be approved at Labour’s conference in September.

It would see the creation of a 12 strong Independent Appeals Board, made up of four lawyers, four lay members and four experts in human resources.  

Following the vote Labour party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds the party was putting its “house in order” to make sure it was a “safe and welcoming space” for all members.