Jeremy Corbyn has insisted he is not anti-Semitic after admitting there had been 300 cases of anti-Semitism referred within Labour since he became leader in 2015.

In an interview with the Jewish News, Mr Corbyn said action was being taken to crack down on the issue, adding that 150 people have been expelled or have resigned from the party.

There are 74 cases still pending, which Mr Corbyn said must be dealt with "as quickly as possible".

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Mr Corbyn has faced unprecedented protests by members of the Jewish community outside Parliament this week, and Jewish leaders have said they will not meet with him until he publicly condemns Labour supporters who have abused those protesting.


The letter to Mr Corbyn from leaders of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council says the abuse is a "disgrace", and warns nobody should be "vilified for opposing anti-Semitism".

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"Those Labour Party members and Labour-supporting blogs pushing the abuse are largely doing so in your name," the letter states.

"They need to hear you say, publicly and in your own voice, that we had every right to protest about anti-Semitism, and that Labour MPs had every right to support us; that our concerns about anti-Semitism are sincere and not a 'smear' as has been widely alleged."

The letter says Monday's protest outside Parliament was "unprecedented" and follows "more than two years of cumulative anger and despair" within the Jewish community over Mr Corbyn's response to the issue.

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Mr Corbyn has insisted anti-Semitism will be the "first priority" of Labour's new General Secretary, adding that a legal team would be appointed to ensure there is a "proper approach".

"Any abuse that's done is certainly not in my name," he said.

"People have a right to speak out and they have a right to demonstrate, and that surely is something that's intrinsic in any democratic society."

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But there's little sign the issue is going away.

In another twist, it has emerged the head of Labour's disputes panel, the committee which investigates claims of anti-Semitism, has had to resign after she sent an email supporting a Labour candidate accused of Holocaust denial.

In a statement, Christine Shawcroft said: "I sent this email before being aware of the full information about this case and I had not been shown the image of his abhorrent Facebook post.

"Had I seen this image, I would not have requested that the decision to suspend him be re-considered. I am deeply sorry for having done so."

Labour's Wes Streeting, co-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews, welcomed Ms Shawcroft's departure, tweeting "Good riddance."

Director of the Labour Friends of Israel, Jennifer Gerber, said: "Those who defend Holocaust deniers should have no place in the Labour Party. If Jeremy Corbyn is serious about his new zero tolerance approach to anti-Semitism he will deal with this as a matter of urgency."