UK politics - as it happened: Labour adopts 'all' internationally recognised IHRA antisemitism examples
Follow live updates from Westminster here
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox
Get our free View from Westminster email
Labour has decided to adopt the internationally recognised antisemitism definition at the heart of a row that has engulfed the party for months.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) met to vote on whether to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition in Labour's new code of conduct.
Labour previously said it would adopt the definition but omit several of the IHRA's examples of antisemitic behaviour, most notably one which relates to claiming the creation of a state of Israel is a "racist endeavour".
But the NEC reversed its earlier decision and agreed to adopt the full definition and the accompanying 11 examples. but add a number of clarifications about what it deems to be antisemitic behaviour in relation to criticism of Israel.
But it announced it had also approved a statement which “ensures this will not in any way undermine freedom of expression on Israel or the rights of Palestinians”.
The announcement came after debate raged for hours at a meeting of Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC), prompting suggestions that no agreement would be possible.
Jeremy Corbyn promised the NEC “action against antisemitism, solidarity with the Jewish community and protection of Palestinian rights”, in a further consultation on Labour’s code of conduct”, a statement said.
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage from Westminster as Labour's antisemitism row comes to a head after months of bitter infighting.
Labour MP Stephen Kinnock was on the Today programme this morning.
He called for Labour's NEC to adopt the IHRA definition in full, saying:
"I think the NEC should simply adopt the full IHRA definition and all of its examples. I don't personally think that now is the time to be putting in additions and qualifications - it's like pouring more fuel on the fire and that's the last thing we should be doing right now.
"There's a huge amount that needs to be done to show, not just with words but with also with actions, that the leadership has listened and understand the concerns of the Jewish community."
Kinnock said Jeremy Corbyn's speech at Labour's annual conference later this month will be "one of the most important that we've had in the history of the Labour Party", providing "a real opportunity to show remorse, to show understanding of the pain and the hurt" that Jewish people have suffered.
He criticised the Labour leader's "failure" to apologise for the way antisemitism has been handled, saying: "He needs to demonstrate that he's ready to listen and to show remorse for what has happened."
The row over antisemitism was "about the battle for the soul of the Labour Party", he added.
Senior Labour ministers including Emily Thornberry and Keir Starmer have called for the NEC to adopt the IHRA definition in full. Most of the shadow cabinet have not publicly expressed an opinion.
Labour MP John Mann, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on antisemitism, has criticised Jeremy Corbyn's "lack of leadership".
He told ITV's Good Morning Britain:
"That is where we have got to, and it is a lack of leadership at the top of the Labour Party, not just, but including Jeremy Corbyn, and this appalling national executive who have... tried to mess around with a very humdrum, mundane definition of anti-Semitism that left (wing) parties across the world have been happy to accept along with everyone else."
H"We are now seeing the first British Jewish people leaving, that is the state we are in, that is the responsibility of the Labour Party.
"It's not a small problem, it's a big problem and it needs sorting now."
Elsewhere, John Whittingdale, the former culture secretary, has joined criticism of Theresa May's Chequers plan.
The Brexiteer said he was "very unhappy" with the government's strategy.
He told Today:
"I don't think Chequers can possibly work.
"I'm very unhappy with the proposal because it seems to me that it leaves us still under the control of the European Union but without any influence at all.
"But even if I supported Chequers it became very clear from Mr Barnier that the European Commission just cannot accept it. They see it as going against the fundamental principles of the single market and customs union."
Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick has said the dispute over the IHRA definition could rumble on to the party's annual conference later this month, if the NEC refuses to adopt it in full today - and suggested some Labour MPs could quit over the issue.
He told Sky News:
"There's going to be questions for many of us about our future within in the Labour Party.
"The Parliamentary Labour Party votes on a motion on antisemitism tomorrow. If there is any doubt about the decision that the NEC takes today this will go to the annual conference in only a few weeks time.
"This issue is not going to be shut down today by the NEC fudging it again.
"There needs to be a clear acceptance of the IHRA definition - that's the only thing that would be acceptable to the vast majority of those of us who have been raising concerns about this issue."
NEW: The Met Police is investigating whether some cases of antisemitism in Labour breach hate crime laws, according to LBC...
More on that as we get it.
Pro-Corbyn protestors are gathering outside Labour's HQ to voice their opinion that the party should not adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism...
Police are present at Labour's Southside HQ in Victoria as protesters clash ahead of today's NEC meeting.
Pro-Corbyn activists are demonstrating against calls for Labour to adopt the full IHRA definition, but have been met by a rival group, wrapped in Israeli flags, who are chanting that Labour is "for the many, not the Jew".
FULL STORY: Met Police says it will investigate Labour members over potential antisemitic hate crimes
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies