UK politics - as it happened: Labour adopts 'all' internationally recognised IHRA antisemitism examples

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Tensions high outside Labour Party headquarters ahead of anti-Semitism meeting

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.

Key Points

• Met Police to investigate Labour members over potential antisemitic hate crimes
• Labour MP says Jeremy Corbyn should use party conference speech to 'show remorse for what has happened'
• GMB union backs giving public final say on Brexit
• 2.6 million Leave voters have switched to Remain since Brexit vote, major study finds
• Jonathan Bartley and Sian Berry elected new joint leaders of Green Party
• Labour adopts all internationally-recognised examples of antisemitism

[4 September 2018 11:48 · Kristin Hugo]

Ukip has issued a bizarre statement calling for people to boycott joining the British army - seemingly because of Brexit.

The party's leader, Gerard Batten, said British forces "are no longer fighting for Queen and country but under a foreign military command"...

Here's his full statement:

"Nick Clegg once said that the idea that the EU was developing its own military was a 'dangerous fantasy'. This news has revealed Nick Clegg to be the fantasist.

"No one should now join the British Army until we have left the EU and this has all been reversed. Our soldiers are no longer fighting for Queen and Country but under a foreign military command. 

"Our ancestors, the heroes of The Armada, Waterloo, Trafalgar, Passchendaele, El-Alamein, and others too numerous to mention, did not fight so that their descendants could serve under the flag of a foreign power.  Mrs May has already stated her intention to tie us into the EU’s military ambitions even if we nominally leave under her plan.

"The sooner we are out of the EU, the sooner we will be able to rebuild our military into a force which serves the interests of our nation first and foremost. Meanwhile British men and women should vote with their feet and not join the armed forces."

[4 September 2018 12:33 · Kristin Hugo]

Members of Labour's NEC have reportedly been told to hand in their phones ahead of today's crunch meeting, in an attempt to stop leaks. 

The meeting kicks off at 1.30pm and is likely to run for several hours, meaning we probably won't hear the outcome until at least late afternoon.

[4 September 2018 13:00 · Kristin Hugo]

BREAKING: The GMB trade union - the third largest in the UK - has backed giving the public a final say on any Brexit deal Theresa May negotiates with Brussels. 

[4 September 2018 13:23 · Kristin Hugo]

Here's more on the news that the GMB has endorsed calls for a Final Say on Brexit...

[4 September 2018 13:37 · Kristin Hugo]

Full story on the election of Jonathan Bartley and Sian Berry as new leaders of the Green Party:

[4 September 2018 14:15 · Kristin Hugo]

Here's more on the news that Ukip has called for people to stop joining the British army until after Brexit

[4 September 2018 15:04 · Kristin Hugo]

My colleague, Rob Merrick, is listening to Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, answer MPs' questions in the House of Commons...

[4 September 2018 15:27 · Kristin Hugo]

 2.6 million people who voted Leave in the 2016 Brexit referendum now back Remain, a major new study has found...

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[4 September 2018 15:49 · Kristin Hugo]

To recap, Labour's National Executive Committee is currently meeting to vote on the party's new code of conduct, including the contentious definition of antisemitism. 

Members of the committee were reportedly told to hand over their phones before entering the room, and The Independent understands staff members who would usually attend the meeting have been barred as party leaders desperately try to prevent leaks. 

The meeting is likely to last several hours, meaning news of a decision is unlikely before early evening. It is expected that the NEC will agree to adopt the full International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, including the accompanying examples, but may also issue a statement including number of clarifications about criticism of Israel.

[4 September 2018 17:35 · Adam Withnall]

Labour has adopted “all” of the internationally-recognised examples of antisemitism, as the party attempted to end its summer turmoil over the issue.

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”.

More here: