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.

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[4 September 2018 17:54 · Adam Withnall]

Of Labour's decision to adopt the IHRA's examples of antisemitism, a party spokesperson has said: "The NEC has today adopted all of the IHRA examples of anti-Semitism, in addition to the IHRA definition which Labour adopted in 2016, alongside a statement which ensures this will not in any way undermine freedom of expression on Israel or the rights of Palestinians.

"The NEC welcomed Jeremy Corbyn's statement to the meeting about action against anti-Semitism, solidarity with the Jewish community and protection of Palestinian rights, as an important contribution to the consultation on Labour's Code of Conduct."

[4 September 2018 18:35 · Adam Withnall]

Shadow Cabinet minister and NEC member Rebecca Long-Bailey said the party wanted a "gold standard" antisemitism policy to help rebuild trust with the Jewish community but at the same time protect freedom of speech

.

She said: "We think to have a working definition within our code of conduct, we have to be clear in terms of our educational agenda to let our members know what language is acceptable and isn't acceptable.

"We fully support IHRA, the definition and all of the examples, and we are not seeking to water them down, only to add through our code of conduct.

"In that code of conduct, when it is finally signed off and implemented, we want full support of all Jewish community organisations."

She added: "I think it's a small step in the right direction. We have lost faith within the Jewish community, and we know that, and it hurts pretty much all of our Labour membership to know that we are in that state of affairs at the moment.

"So, this is a first step forward but we have a number of bridges to build.

"We are going to work quite collectively with Jewish community groups now to make sure that the detail in our code of conduct really is the gold standard and we have an educational programme that rivals any other political party in the world."

[4 September 2018 19:25 · Adam Withnall]

Tory MPs have issued fresh demands for Theresa May to "chuck Chequers now" and develop proposals which will "deliver" Brexit.

Former ministers Sir Christopher Chope and John Whittingdale pressed Brexit secretary Dominic Raab to shift the government's approach, amid opposition to the agreement from across the Commons and Brussels.

But Mr Raab said he was confident the proposals respect the European Union's key principles, adding: "I don't think we are going to roll over for Brussels."