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Jeremy Corbyn has said he is "obviously very sorry" over anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.

The party leader spoke out today after he was pushed repeatedly to give an apology for members and supporters who made racist anti-Jewish statements.

Last week, Mr Corbyn said he had improved procedures but did not directly offer an apology - leading to damning criticism from parts of the Jewish community.

Today, however, he told ITV's This Morning: "Obviously I'm very sorry for everything that's happened.

"But I want to make this clear. I am dealing with it. I have dealt with it. Other parties are also affected by anti-Semitism.

(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX)

"Candidates have been withdrawn by the Liberal Democrats, and the Conservatives and by us because of it.

"We just do not accept it in any form whatsoever."

Mr Corbyn made the comments after being pushed by This Morning host Phillip Schofield, who said repeatedly: "Just say sorry!"

After being asked at least three times Labour's leader said: "Our party and me do not accept anti-Semitism in any form." He then offered his apology and explanation.

The comments come after a heated interview with the BBC's Andrew Neil last week in which Jeremy Corbynfailed to apologise four times to the Jewish community.

(Image: ITV)

The interview happened after the Chief Rabbi accused Mr Corbyn of being "unfit" to be PM.

Jewish groups have raised concerns over the speed with which Labour is dealing with complaints and whether members are expelled quickly enough. High-profile cases have taken several months to resolve.

In his interview with the BBC's Andrew Neil, the Labour leader denied Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis's allegation that Labour's claims it was doing everything to tackle anti-Jewish racism was a "mendacious fiction".

Today, the Labour leader told ITV: "I think the Chief Rabbi's comments really ought to be taken for what they are.

"He hasn't contacted me about it.

"I'm very happy to meet him, very happy to talk to him, very happy to talk to any representatives of any part of the Jewish community in our society.

"Because I recognise that anti-Semitism is a poison and it's very dangerous."

In February this year, Labour confirmed figures around more than 1,000 anti-Semitism complaints lodged with the party - saying they made up less than 1% of members.

Speaking in February 2019, Shadow Trade Secretary Barry Gardiner said that of 1,106 complaints lodged, 443 had not involved Labour members, leaving 663.

(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Of the remaining cases, 220 were found to have no evidence backing them up - suggesting 443 cases with evidence may remain.

146 of those remaining cases were taken to the first stage but "were deemed to be people who had used a trope without realising how offensive it was - and they were given a warning."

Among the remaining cases, 49 quit ahead of any disciplinary action being concluded and 12 were expelled from the party, Mr Gardiner said in February.

Last week, the Tories, Labour and SNP each suspended one of their candidates in Scotland over anti-Semitism allegations.

Labour dropped its Falkirk candidate Safia Ali over alleged anti-Semitic posts on Facebook, saying: "We have taken immediate action on this matter."

However, for all three parties it was too late to remove their trio of candidates from ballot papers.