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Labour Party 'not connected' to abusive anti-Jewish messages | Labour Party 'not connected' to abusive anti-Jewish messages |
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Labour has sought to distance itself from a series of pro-Jeremy Corbyn Facebook groups that feature anti-Semitic, racist and abusive comments. | Labour has sought to distance itself from a series of pro-Jeremy Corbyn Facebook groups that feature anti-Semitic, racist and abusive comments. |
A report published in the Sunday Times claims to have uncovered more than 2,000 such messages, including misogynistic and violent posts. | A report published in the Sunday Times claims to have uncovered more than 2,000 such messages, including misogynistic and violent posts. |
Among the messages was praise for Adolf Hitler and threats to kill Prime Minister Theresa May, the paper said. | Among the messages was praise for Adolf Hitler and threats to kill Prime Minister Theresa May, the paper said. |
A Labour spokesman said the groups are not connected to the party in any way. | A Labour spokesman said the groups are not connected to the party in any way. |
The report is the result of a two-month investigation by the Sunday Times into the 20 biggest pro-Corbyn Facebook groups. | The report is the result of a two-month investigation by the Sunday Times into the 20 biggest pro-Corbyn Facebook groups. |
Meanwhile, one of Labour's biggest private donors has told the Observer he has left the party over its failure to deal with "the most blatant acts of anti-Semitism". | Meanwhile, one of Labour's biggest private donors has told the Observer he has left the party over its failure to deal with "the most blatant acts of anti-Semitism". |
Sir David Garrard, who has donated £1.5 million to Labour since 2003, told the paper: "I have watched with dismay and foreboding the manner in which the leadership has, in my view, over the last two years, conducted itself." | Sir David Garrard, who has donated £1.5 million to Labour since 2003, told the paper: "I have watched with dismay and foreboding the manner in which the leadership has, in my view, over the last two years, conducted itself." |
No let-up for Labour | |
Jonathan Blake, BBC political correspondent | |
With negative stories on the front pages of at least four newspapers, this is not a happy Easter Sunday for Labour. | |
The online abuse highlighted by the Sunday Times investigation shows a problem the party has with a relatively small number of people willing to use racism, misogyny and threats of violence in support of Jeremy Corbyn. | |
Labour has denounced the behaviour and distanced itself from the groups. | |
Mr Corbyn has condemned, criticised and apologised time and time again. | |
But after a bad week for the party, things have not improved. | |
The leader has admitted that Labour must "do better" in tackling anti-Semitism, but with no apparent quick fix at hand and no let-up in accusations, he has some way to go to convince everyone in his party that he has a grip on the problem. | |
The Sunday Times says the Facebook groups covered in its report have a membership of around 400,000 people including 12 senior staff working for Mr Corbyn and shadow chancellor John McDonnell. | The Sunday Times says the Facebook groups covered in its report have a membership of around 400,000 people including 12 senior staff working for Mr Corbyn and shadow chancellor John McDonnell. |
Comments in the groups show members advocating violence, reports the paper. | Comments in the groups show members advocating violence, reports the paper. |
It also said it found messages comparing the Conservatives to Nazis and suggesting a journalist should be killed. | It also said it found messages comparing the Conservatives to Nazis and suggesting a journalist should be killed. |
Writing in the newspaper, Jewish Labour MP Luciana Berger said she had received an email from someone who claimed to be a party member telling her she should kill herself. | Writing in the newspaper, Jewish Labour MP Luciana Berger said she had received an email from someone who claimed to be a party member telling her she should kill herself. |
She had also been called "Judas", "a venal piece of detritus", a "Zionazi" and an "absolute parasite." | She had also been called "Judas", "a venal piece of detritus", a "Zionazi" and an "absolute parasite." |
A spokesman for the Labour Party said: "These groups are not run by the Labour Party or officially connected to the party in any way." | A spokesman for the Labour Party said: "These groups are not run by the Labour Party or officially connected to the party in any way." |
Labour also told the Sunday Times that no-one in Mr Corbyn or Mr McDonnell's offices has seen, posted or endorsed anti-Semitic or abusive messages. | Labour also told the Sunday Times that no-one in Mr Corbyn or Mr McDonnell's offices has seen, posted or endorsed anti-Semitic or abusive messages. |
The latest allegations mark a deepening in the row over anti-Semitism in the Labour Party which has dogged Mr Corbyn for the past week. | The latest allegations mark a deepening in the row over anti-Semitism in the Labour Party which has dogged Mr Corbyn for the past week. |
It erupted when Mr Corbyn himself was criticised for opposing the removal of an anti-Semitic mural in east London in 2012. | It erupted when Mr Corbyn himself was criticised for opposing the removal of an anti-Semitic mural in east London in 2012. |
On Saturday, senior Labour official Christine Shawcroft resigned from the party's ruling body, the National Executive Committee, and was replaced by comedian Eddie Izzard. | On Saturday, senior Labour official Christine Shawcroft resigned from the party's ruling body, the National Executive Committee, and was replaced by comedian Eddie Izzard. |
It had emerged that she had opposed the suspension of a council candidate accused of denying the Holocaust. | It had emerged that she had opposed the suspension of a council candidate accused of denying the Holocaust. |
On Friday Mr Corbyn admitted Labour must "do better" over its handling of anti-Semitism. | On Friday Mr Corbyn admitted Labour must "do better" over its handling of anti-Semitism. |