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Labour Jewish affiliate passes no confidence motion in Corbyn

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By Alan McGuinness, political reporter

The Jewish Labour Movement has passed a motion of no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn over the party's handling of antisemitism complaints.

The motion was "almost unanimously" approved at the Jewish affiliate's AGM on Sunday afternoon, according to its Twitter account.

Labour MPs Dame Margaret Hodge, Ruth Smeeth and Louise Ellman delivered "strong" speeches, JLM added.

Jewish Labour members 'looking on in horror'

Sky News has contacted Labour for a comment.

Speaking to Sky News before the meeting, national secretary Peter Mason said Jewish members of the party were "looking on in horror" at what has been happening in the party in recent years.

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He also said the group would be prepared to consider voting to disassociate from the party, having previously warned the leadership it had to act on concerns.

The no confidence vote comes after the the Sunday Times reported a total of 249 cases of alleged antisemitism had been reported to the party and not acted on.

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According to the newspaper, some members investigated for posting comments such as "Heil Hitler" and "Jews are the problem" online had not been expelled despite complaints being made a year ago.

Labour said the figures were "not accurate" and that all complaints were taken seriously.

"All complaints about antisemitism are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures. We can't comment on individual cases," a spokeswoman said.

"Lines have been selectively leaked from emails to misrepresent their overall contents.

"One of the emails shows the general secretary's office ending the practice started by former staffers of asking the leader's office for their help with clearing the backlog of cases.

"This practice lasted for a few weeks while there was no general secretary, and was ended by Jennie Formby."

Chakrabarti calls on Jewish affiliate to stay in party

Speaking before the vote, shadow attorney general Baroness Chakrabarti pleaded with JLM "not to personalise" the issue.

The frontbencher, who led a review into antisemitism allegations in the party, told Sky News: "My plea to the Jewish Labour Movement is to stay in the Labour movement and to tackle racism together, not to personalise it and make it about Jeremy Corbyn, because he is one person and he won't be leader forever."

Referencing Labour's response to the Sunday Times story, Mr Mason said: "This statement is the same they have put out after every incident of antisemitism last year, it's worthless.

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