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MP Naz Shah suspended from Labour MP Naz Shah suspended from Labour
(about 3 hours later)
Labour has suspended MP Naz Shah over comments she made about Israel.Labour has suspended MP Naz Shah over comments she made about Israel.
The Bradford West MP has been heavily criticised over the Facebook posts, including one suggesting Israel should be moved to America. The Bradford West MP has been heavily criticised over the Facebook posts, including one suggesting Israel should be moved to the United States.
She offered a "profound apology" in a Commons statement for the posts which were made before she became an MP. In a Commons statement she offered a "profound apology" for the posts, which were made before she became an MP.
Earlier party leader Jeremy Corbyn warned her about the "offensive and unacceptable" posts and David Cameron called for her suspension.Earlier party leader Jeremy Corbyn warned her about the "offensive and unacceptable" posts and David Cameron called for her suspension.
Labour said: "Jeremy Corbyn and Naz Shah have mutually agreed that she is administratively suspended from the Labour Party by the general secretary.Labour said: "Jeremy Corbyn and Naz Shah have mutually agreed that she is administratively suspended from the Labour Party by the general secretary.
"Pending investigation, she is unable to take part in any party activity and the whip is removed.""Pending investigation, she is unable to take part in any party activity and the whip is removed."
'Fulsome apology''Fulsome apology'
Apologising in the Commons, Ms Shah, who had already quit her job as as an unpaid aide to shadow chancellor John McDonnell, said: "Anti-Semitism is racism, full stop. As an MP I will do everything in my power to build relationships between Muslims, Jews and people of different faiths and none." Apologising in the Commons, Ms Shah, who had already quit as an unpaid aide to shadow chancellor John McDonnell, said: "Anti-Semitism is racism, full stop. As an MP I will do everything in my power to build relationships between Muslims, Jews and people of different faiths and none."
The announcement of her suspension came after pressure mounted on the MP, with Mr Cameron saying during Prime Minister's Questions it was "quite extraordinary" that Labour had not withdrawn the whip from her over what he suggested were "racist" comments.The announcement of her suspension came after pressure mounted on the MP, with Mr Cameron saying during Prime Minister's Questions it was "quite extraordinary" that Labour had not withdrawn the whip from her over what he suggested were "racist" comments.
He said: "Anti-Semitism is effectively racism and we should call it out and fight it wherever we see it. Analysis by Iain Watson, BBC political correspondent
"And the fact that, frankly, we have a Labour Member of Parliament, with the Labour whip, who made remarks about the transportation of Israel to America, and talked about a 'solution,' and is still in receipt of the Labour whip is quite extraordinary." Saying sorry three times didn't prevent Naz Shah's suspension.
Minutes before PMQs, Mr Corbyn, who is under pressure to deal with allegations of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, issued a statement saying: "What Naz Shah did was offensive and unacceptable. I have spoken to her and made this clear. Number 10 are taking credit - but one shadow cabinet member, Lisa Nandy, had already called for her suspension and I'm told other Labour figures had approached party officials privately to call for the same thing.
"These are historic social media posts made before she was a member of parliament. Naz has issued a fulsome apology. Ten days ago Labour's general secretary had reassured MPs those accused of anti-Semitism would be expelled or suspended.
Insiders say that once the Labour leader had decided to hand the matter to party officials, suspension - and an investigation - became inevitable.
Most Labour MPs recognise few members hold anti-Semitic views but that some high-profile cases have been toxic, and have been pressing their leadership to be more proactive in uncovering and rooting out unacceptable views.
And some on the party's right are keen to force a leader who has opposed "witch hunts" of party members to use disciplinary procedures to erect, however reluctantly, some walls to Labour's broad church - and to make clear that the views of some recent members and supporters aren't welcome.
Minutes before PMQs, Mr Corbyn issued a statement, saying: "These are historic social media posts made before she was a member of parliament. Naz has issued a fulsome apology.
"She does not hold these views and accepts she was completely wrong to have made these posts. The Labour Party is implacably opposed to anti-Semitism and all forms of racism.""She does not hold these views and accepts she was completely wrong to have made these posts. The Labour Party is implacably opposed to anti-Semitism and all forms of racism."
Labour MP Lisa Nandy backed calls for Ms Shah to be suspended from the party, "pending an investigation". Labour MP Lisa Nandy had called for Ms Shah's suspension, while another Labour MP, Kate Hoey, told BBC Radio 4's The World at One she should resign "right away" from the Commons Home Affairs Committee, which is carrying out an inquiry into anti-Semitism.
Ms Nandy said she had told the leader's office that procedures must be applied "without exception". Who is Naz Shah?
She told BBC2's Daily Politics: "There is a real problem for the Labour Party if we don't look like we are taking these things seriously. But this is not just about the impact on the Labour Party, there is also the question here about what is the right thing to do." Sabbiyah Pervez, BBC Look North
Another Labour MP, Kate Hoey, told BBC Radio 4's The World at One Ms Shah should resign "right away" from the Commons Home Affairs Committee, which is carrying out an inquiry into anti-Semitism. Naz Shah burst onto the political scene during the 2015 general election, where she ousted Respect MP George Galloway.
'Simply appalling' Her selection as a candidate proved controversial with divisions emerging in the local party. The candidate who was chosen first stood down four days later, before Ms Shah was imposed by the ruling National Executive Committee.
A bitter campaign followed, with Mr Galloway sparking anger by questioning Ms Shah's account of her forced marriage.
After her victory, she was celebrated locally and nationally for her unique background and life experiences.
Growing up in poverty in Bradford, Ms Shah and her family were abandoned by her father who eloped with a neighbour's teenage daughter. She has spoken openly about her experience of surviving a forced marriage and domestic violence.
In a Facebook post in 2014, Ms Shah shared a graphic showing an image of Israel's outline superimposed on a map of the US under the headline "Solution for Israel-Palestine conflict - relocate Israel into United States", with the comment "problem solved".In a Facebook post in 2014, Ms Shah shared a graphic showing an image of Israel's outline superimposed on a map of the US under the headline "Solution for Israel-Palestine conflict - relocate Israel into United States", with the comment "problem solved".
The post suggested the US has "plenty of land" to accommodate Israel as a 51st state, allowing Palestinians to "get their life and their land back".The post suggested the US has "plenty of land" to accommodate Israel as a 51st state, allowing Palestinians to "get their life and their land back".
It added Israeli people would be welcome and safe in the US, while the "transportation cost" would be less than three years' worth of Washington's support for Israeli defence spending.It added Israeli people would be welcome and safe in the US, while the "transportation cost" would be less than three years' worth of Washington's support for Israeli defence spending.
Ms Shah added a note suggesting the plan might "save them some pocket money".Ms Shah added a note suggesting the plan might "save them some pocket money".
The post was brought to light by the Guido Fawkes website, which also highlighted a post in which she appeared to liken Israeli policies to those of Hitler.The post was brought to light by the Guido Fawkes website, which also highlighted a post in which she appeared to liken Israeli policies to those of Hitler.
In a statement, the MP said: "I made these posts at the height of the Gaza conflict in 2014, when emotions were running high around the Middle East conflict.In a statement, the MP said: "I made these posts at the height of the Gaza conflict in 2014, when emotions were running high around the Middle East conflict.
"But that is no excuse for the offence I have given, for which I unreservedly apologise.""But that is no excuse for the offence I have given, for which I unreservedly apologise."
She set out a more detailed apology in an article for Jewish News.She set out a more detailed apology in an article for Jewish News.
"The language I used was wrong," she wrote."The language I used was wrong," she wrote.
"It is hurtful. What's important is the impact these posts have had on other people. I understand that referring to Israel and Hitler as I did is deeply offensive to Jewish people for which I apologise.""It is hurtful. What's important is the impact these posts have had on other people. I understand that referring to Israel and Hitler as I did is deeply offensive to Jewish people for which I apologise."
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said the comments were "simply appalling", calling for an urgent meeting "for clarification of her views on Israel and the UK Jewish community".The Board of Deputies of British Jews said the comments were "simply appalling", calling for an urgent meeting "for clarification of her views on Israel and the UK Jewish community".