Another Labour politician attended a meeting of activists at the centre of an antisemitism row within the party, Sky News understands.
Hyndburn councillor Munsif Dad is thought to have been at the gathering where two parliamentary candidates are alleged to have made antisemitic remarks.
On Monday, Labour withdrew support from and suspended Azhar Ali, who is standing under their banner at the upcoming Rochdale by-election, after he allegedly blamed “people in the media from certain Jewish quarters” for fuelling criticism of a pro-Palestinian Labour MP and claimed Israel planned to “get rid of [Palestinians] from Gaza” and “grab” some of the land during discussions at the meeting.
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Then on Tuesday, former Labour MP for Hyndburn, Graham Jones – who is seeking to stand for the seat again at the next election – was suspended after allegedly referring to “f***ing Israel” at the same gathering, and saying UK citizens who volunteer to fight for the Israeli Defence Forces “should be locked up”.
Sky News understands Mr Dad has been “spoken to” by Labour officials, but it is not yet clear if he made any contribution to the meeting and no further action has been taken.
Mr Dad and the Labour Party have been contacted for statement.
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Appearing on Sky News’ Breakfast programme, shadow defence secretary John Healy said he “didn’t know” why the councillor had been in attendance.
But he told Kay Burley: “Where new information or evidence comes to light, as it did with Azhar Ali, as it has with Graham Jones, then the party will act and [Sir] Keir Starmer will act swiftly and decisively to make sure that our candidates and our MPs meet the very highest standards that the public have a right to expect and they deserve.”
The fallout from the meeting – first reported by the Daily Mail and Guido Fawkes – has seen pressure build on Sir Keir, who promised to “tear out antisemitism by its roots” when he took over the Labour Party in 2020.
See below the full list of candidates for the Rochdale by-election and the political parties they represent:
Azhar Ali, (listed as Labour Party, but now removed as its candidate)
Mark Coleman, Independent
Simon Danczuk, Reform UK
Iain Donaldson, Liberal Democrats
Paul Ellison, The Conservative Party Candidate
George Galloway, Workers’ Party of Britain
Michael Howarth, Independent
William Howarth, Independent
Guy Otten, Green Party
Ravin Subortna, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party
David Tully, Independent
