A Labour MP has apologised for "invoking a conspiracy theory" that seven MPs who quit the party are being financially backed by Israel.

Ruth George, the MP for High Peak, used a Facebook post to suggest it was "possible" the group of MPs were receiving "support from the state of Israel".

The seven MPs defected from Labour on Monday to form a new independent grouping in parliament, with many citing a failure by Labour's leadership to combat antisemitism within the party.

Image: Ruth George suggested Israel could be supporting the defecting MPs

One of their number, Jewish MP Luciana Berger, branded Labour "institutionally antisemitic" as she explained her reasons for quitting.

In response to the group's defection, Ms George posted a statement on Facebook to confirm she would be staying within Labour and to issue a call for unity in the party.


Underneath, Ms George added a comment, which read: "Support from the State of Israel, which supports both Conservatives and Labour 'Friends of Israel' of which Luciana was chair is possible and I would not condemn those who suggest it, especially when the group's financial backers are not being revealed.

"It's important to know the financial backers for any political group or policy."

Ms George, who was elected as an MP in 2017, was responding to a request for her to respond to the actions of local councillor Nick Longos.

'Racist and antisemitic': Why MPs left

Mr Longos, who sits on High Peak Borough Council, "liked" a comment on his own Facebook page which suggested the financial backers of the new "Independent Group" of former Labour MPs were "Israelis".

Ms George later apologised for her Facebook post.

"I unreservedly and wholeheartedly apologise for my comment," she said.

"I had no intention of invoking a conspiracy theory and I am deeply sorry that my ill-thought out and poorly worded comment did this. I withdraw it completely."

A Labour Party spokesperson, said: "It's right that Ruth George has apologised for these offensive remarks.

"The Whips Office is reminding Ruth George of the conduct expected of her."