The Labour Party has received an official complaint about its candidate in the Rochdale by-election following “antisemitic” comments about the 7 October attack on Israel, Sky News has learned.
Labour Against Antisemitism (LAAS), a campaign group founded by Labour members to combat antisemitism within the party, is calling for councillor Azhar Ali’s immediate suspension as a candidate and party member after he suggested Israel deliberately allowed the Hamas atrocity to take place in order to give it the “green light” to invade Gaza.
Politics live: Labour in ‘crisis’ over Rochdale candidate
Although Mr Ali issued an “unreserved” apology for the “deeply offensive, ignorant and false” comments, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to withdraw support for him in light of previous remarks he has made about “tearing out” antisemitism by its roots.
Alex Hearn, who is a director of the campaign group and member of the Labour Party, submitted a formal complaint against Mr Ali this afternoon in which he wrote: “The accusation that Jews plotted a massacre of innocent people for their own bloodthirsty gain is antisemitic.”
In a statement, LAAS, which is not affiliated with the Labour Party, told Sky News: “We were appalled by Mr Ali’s comments and call for his immediate suspension.
“Sir Keir Starmer has made good progress fighting antisemitism in the Labour Party, but this episode shows that more needs to be done or it risks becoming a bigger problem.”
Once a complaint is submitted, Labour’s complaints team verifies that the person being complained about is a party member, after which they determine whether the complaint warrants investigation.
Labour has been approached for comment.
Shadow cabinet ministers have stood by Mr Ali so far.
Asked about the comments by Sky News this morning, shadow minister without portfolio, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said they were “completely wrong… totally unacceptable and they in no way represent the views of the…
