The Syrian party, from left: Jeremy Corbyn, Muhammed Hamed, of the PRC, Jim Tolson, a Liberal Democrat MSP, Lord Sheikh, the Tory peer and delegation leader, President Assad, Baroness Tonge, who resigned from the Lib Dems after this week’s Lords event, and Jim Hume, a former Lib Dem MSP

Jeremy Corbyn accepted a free trip to meet President Assad of Syria funded by the Palestinian lobbyists who organised an event this week at which Jews were blamed for the Holocaust.

The Labour leader was taking part in a stunt to mark Balfour day, the anniversary of the signing of a British declaration in 1917 supporting a Jewish home in Palestine.

Mr Corbyn’s hosts were the British-based Palestinian Return Centre (PRC), a campaign group which four days ago organised a House of Lords event demanding that Britain should apologise for Arthur Balfour’s promise.

Baroness Tonge, who chaired the meeting, resigned from the Liberal Democrats after an outcry over antisemitic remarks made by audience members. She later excused herself by claiming that she was unable to