Labour MPs brand Jeremy Corbyn ‘grotesque’ and accuse him of peddling ‘sinister’ anti-Semitic conspiracy theories
JEREMY Corbyn has been branded “grotesque” by Labour MPs who want his outbursts probed.
Ex-minister Joan Ryan accused him of bringing the party into disrepute in a letter to general secretary Jennie Formby.
She and other MPs have accused their leader of peddling “sinister” anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and making “deeply disturbing” remarks as well as meeting convicted terrorists.
In her letter, she condemns him for claiming on Iranian state TV in 2012 that the “hand of Israel” was behind a jihadi terror attack in Egypt that year.
Ms Ryan said: “Mr Corbyn’s claim is ludicrous, grotesque and entirely unfounded in fact.
“It evokes a sinister anti-Semitic conspiracy theory alleging Israeli origins in terrorism.
“Such claims have rightly led to the suspension and investigation of multiple Labour members and councillors in the past.”
Ms Formby has not responded to the letter.
The move comes hours after Mr Corbyn’s bid to defuse the crisis flopped.
He infuriated the Jewish community by suggesting his critics were guilty of “overheated rhetoric” in a newspaper article starkly similar to one he wrote in April — leading to accusations it was a hurried “cut and paste job”.
Labour Friends of Israel director Jennifer Gerber said: “These empty and recycled words from Jeremy Corbyn will do nothing to mend relations with the Jewish community.
“There is no sense of his own responsibility for a crisis which has afflicted Labour since he became leader or any concrete plan to address it.”
Mr Corbyn had to cancel a speech on anti-Semitism last week when a Jewish charity refused to let him use their venue.
He has largely kept out of public view since.
An insider said: “Only a small number of very close aides know what’s going on.
“They seem to be hoping it will all go away. It won’t.”
A Labour spokesman last night said of Mr Corbyn’s remarks in 2012: “Jeremy’s speculation about the perpetrators of attacks on Egyptian border guards was based on previous well-documented incidents of killings by the Israeli military.”
The Sun Says
JEREMY CORBYN is not fit to be the Prime Minister of this country.
That’s the only conclusion to draw from the cack-handed way he has dealt with the vicious anti-Semitism which seems to infect every corner of his Labour Party.
His first response to the latest scandal was to stick his fingers in his ears and hum the Red Flag rather than address it head on.
Even when he was forced to break his silence, he could barely bother to do anything other than copy and paste from the last time he was compelled to apologise.
It is shocking, but not particularly surprising.
After all this is a man who has surrounded himself with anti-Semites for decades, and has been happy to trot out dangerous conspiracy theories himself.
Why would he care that Jews within his own party feel unwelcome? Why would he care that Jewish leaders see him and his party as an ‘existential threat’ to their lives here?
Labour MP Joan Ryan is calling for a proper investigation into Corbyn’s comments. Fine. But this leopard is not about to change his spots.
Throughout his life he has shown terrible judgment. It is extraordinary how often he picks the wrong side.
He is not just a threat to British Jews if he gets into power.
He’s a threat to Britain, full stop.
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk