A top adviser to Jeremy Corbyn blocked the suspension of a Labour member who was arrested last week on suspicion of inciting racial hatred against Jews, The Sunday Times can reveal.

Patricia Sheerin, 72, from south London, was one of three party members questioned by Scotland Yard earlier this month for “publishing or distributing material likely to stir up racial hatred”.

In March last year, Labour officials tried to suspend Sheerin from the party after discovering allegedly anti-semitic online posts that a complainant linked to her. However, leaked emails reveal that Laura Murray, a 30-year-old aide to Jeremy Corbyn who works in his office, intervened to overrule a recommendation by party officials that Sheerin be suspended.

One post alleged links between Israel and Isis; another