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Louise Ellman: MP quits Labour over anti-Semitism concerns Louise Ellman: MP quits Labour over anti-Semitism concerns
(about 4 hours later)
MP Louise Ellman has quit the Labour Party, saying Jeremy Corbyn is "not fit" to become prime minister.MP Louise Ellman has quit the Labour Party, saying Jeremy Corbyn is "not fit" to become prime minister.
The Liverpool Riverside MP said in a letter she had been "deeply troubled" by the "growth of anti-Semitism" in Labour in recent years.The Liverpool Riverside MP said in a letter she had been "deeply troubled" by the "growth of anti-Semitism" in Labour in recent years.
Mrs Ellman, who is Jewish, has been a party member for 55 years but said she "can no longer advocate voting Labour when it risks Corbyn becoming PM".Mrs Ellman, who is Jewish, has been a party member for 55 years but said she "can no longer advocate voting Labour when it risks Corbyn becoming PM".
Labour said it was taking "robust action" to root out anti-Semitism.Labour said it was taking "robust action" to root out anti-Semitism.
Mrs Ellman, who has been an MP since 1997, said anti-Semitism had become "mainstream" in Labour under Mr Corbyn's leadership.Mrs Ellman, who has been an MP since 1997, said anti-Semitism had become "mainstream" in Labour under Mr Corbyn's leadership.
"I believe that Jeremy Corbyn is not fit to serve as our prime minister," she said."I believe that Jeremy Corbyn is not fit to serve as our prime minister," she said.
"With a looming general election and the possibility of him becoming prime minister, I feel I have to take a stand.""With a looming general election and the possibility of him becoming prime minister, I feel I have to take a stand."
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said Mrs Ellman's resignation letter was "extraordinary".BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said Mrs Ellman's resignation letter was "extraordinary".
'Abused and driven out''Abused and driven out'
Mrs Ellman described her decision as "truly agonising, as it has been for the thousands of other party members who have already left".Mrs Ellman described her decision as "truly agonising, as it has been for the thousands of other party members who have already left".
She stressed she had no intention of defecting to another political party, as other former Labour MPs had done, and hoped to be able to return to Labour under different leadership.She stressed she had no intention of defecting to another political party, as other former Labour MPs had done, and hoped to be able to return to Labour under different leadership.
Earlier this year, Luciana Berger, MP for Liverpool Wavertree since 2010, left Labour in protest at the handling of anti-Semitism allegations.Earlier this year, Luciana Berger, MP for Liverpool Wavertree since 2010, left Labour in protest at the handling of anti-Semitism allegations.
She subsequently joined the Liberal Democrats.She subsequently joined the Liberal Democrats.
"Jewish members have been bullied, abused and driven out," Mrs Ellman added."Jewish members have been bullied, abused and driven out," Mrs Ellman added.
"A party that permits anti-Jewish racism to flourish cannot be called anti-racist."A party that permits anti-Jewish racism to flourish cannot be called anti-racist.
"This is not compatible with the Labour Party's values of equality, tolerance and respect for minorities."This is not compatible with the Labour Party's values of equality, tolerance and respect for minorities.
"My values - traditional Labour values - have remained the same. It is Labour, under Jeremy Corbyn, that has changed.""My values - traditional Labour values - have remained the same. It is Labour, under Jeremy Corbyn, that has changed."
'Toxic atmosphere'
The Labour Party has been the focus of a series of anti-Semitism allegations since mid-2016.
An initial inquiry by Labour peer Baroness Chakrabarti concluded the party was not overrun by anti-Semitism but had an "occasionally toxic atmosphere".
Despite pledges by Mr Corbyn that he is getting to grips with the issue and strengthening internal disciplinary procedures, the allegations have continued.
In May, a member of the National Executive Committee was suspended after LBC Radio reported he had been recorded saying the Israeli embassy was "almost certainly" behind the anti-Semitism row. He has since apologised and been re-elected.
And in June, the newly elected Peterborough MP apologised for liking a Facebook post which said Theresa May had a "Zionist slave masters agenda" - although she said she had not read that part of the text.
Following referrals from Jewish groups, the Equality and Human Rights Commission launched a formal investigation into allegations of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.
It is only the second time the government-funded equality watchdog has investigated a political party, after ordering the far-right British National Party to rewrite its constitution in 2010.
Fellow MPs reacted to the news of Mrs Ellman's resignation.Fellow MPs reacted to the news of Mrs Ellman's resignation.
Mr Corbyn has insisted the party is addressing concerns and in July proposed changes to Labour's complaints system to speed up the expulsion of members over anti-Semitism.Mr Corbyn has insisted the party is addressing concerns and in July proposed changes to Labour's complaints system to speed up the expulsion of members over anti-Semitism.
A party spokesman said Mr Corbyn thanked Mrs Ellman for her service "over many years".A party spokesman said Mr Corbyn thanked Mrs Ellman for her service "over many years".
"Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party are fully committed to the support, defence and celebration of the Jewish community and continue to take robust action to root out anti-Semitism in the party and wider society," they said."Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party are fully committed to the support, defence and celebration of the Jewish community and continue to take robust action to root out anti-Semitism in the party and wider society," they said.