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Suspended MP Chris Williamson defends pro-Corbyn hyper-partisan The Canary, attacking 'sinister' bid to close it

The MP has himself been called a 'Jew-baiter' and is suspended over his interventions in Labour's antisemitism crisis

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MP Chris Williamson, who is suspended from Labour over his repeated interventions in the party's antisemitism crisis, has supported pro-Corbyn website The Canary, saying a "sinister" attempt is being made to close.

The website, which has been accused of promoting "fake news" in supporting Mr Corbyn and attacking allegations of Labour antisemitism, recently announced it was downsizing because of pressure from "political Zionists".

This was the result of campaign by Stop Funding Fake News, which urges brands not to advertise on hyper-partisan websites that try to pass themselves off as reputable news sources.

Mr Williamson, who was branded a "Jew-baiter" for his words on antisemitism, said there was a "sinister attempt to close down The Canary because it publishes the truth, stands up for human rights around the world and holds the establishment to account".

Announcing the downsizing on Friday, The Canary said it had faced "smears of antisemitism" but then went on to say "Advertisers are susceptible to pressure from political Zionists and our advertising revenue is under fire."

The news was widely celebrated by those often targeted by the site for being vocal about the antisemitism crisis in Labour, including Countdown's Rachel Riley.

The Canary is among "the alt-left media sources and partisan websites" cited by a CST report, published on Sunday, that inflame the party's antisemitism crisis with "accusations of antisemitism relating to the Labour Party have been overblown or fabricated".

Mr Williamson faced repeated calls for him to be suspended from Labour but finally had the whip withdrawn when he was filmed claiming the party had been "too apologetic" over antisemitism.

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