Jeremy Corbyn was headed for a fresh confrontation with Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, over the party’s handling of antisemitism after declining to suspend Chris Williamson from the party immediately over comments made by the Derby North MP.

Corbyn’s spokesman said Williamson had been issued with a “notice of investigation” over “a pattern of behaviour” – but would not be suspended while party officials considered his case.

That was in sharp opposition to Watson, who said that he would have removed the whip already “if it was in my gift”.

Williamson offered an apology on Wednesday morning after he was filmed saying Labour had been “too apologetic,” about complaints of antisemitism.

Labour has widespread problem with antisemitism – Momentum founder Read more

In the film, first revealed by the Yorkshire Post, Williamson was cheered by activists in Sheffield as he said: “I’ve got to say I think our party’s response has been partly responsible … Because, in my opinion, we’ve backed off far too much, we’ve given too much ground, we’ve been too apologetic.””

It followed separate complaints that Williamson had booked a room in parliament to screen a controversial film about Jackie Walker, an activist suspended from the Labour party.

Liz Bates (@wizbates) WATCH: Chris Williamson tells a Sheffield Momentum meeting that Labour has been "too apologetic" about anti-Semitism... pic.twitter.com/zxtKdHQPvw

Williamson met Labour’s chief whip, Nick Brown, and its general secretary, Jenny Formby, about his conduct on Wednesday. In a statement, Williamson said it “pains me greatly … that anyone should believe that it is my intention to minimise the cancerous and pernicious nature of antisemitism”.

He added: “I deeply regret, and apologise for, my recent choice of words when speaking about how the Labour party has responded to the ongoing fight against antisemitism inside of our party. I was trying to stress how much the party has done to tackle antisemitism.

“Our movement can never be ‘too apologetic’ about racism within our ranks. Whilst it is true that there have been very few cases of antisemitism in the Labour party – something I believe is often forgotten when discussing this issue – it is also true that those few are too many.”

His remarks caused an outcry, with Watson, many Labour MPs and the GMB trade union leader, Tim Roache, as well as the anti-racism charity Hope Not Hate, calling for the whip to be withdrawn immediately.

Watson called Williamson’s apology, “long-winded and heavily caveated,” adding, “if it was in my gift I would have removed the whip from him already”.

Tom Watson (@tom_watson) Chris Williamson has produced a long-winded and heavily caveated apology. It is not good enough. If it was in my gift I would have removed the whip from him already. pic.twitter.com/IuEpDM1Ak2

Corbyn’s spokesperson called the comments “deeply offensive and inappropriate and fall below the standards we expect of MPs… Downplaying the problem of antisemitism makes it harder for us to tackle it.” But he said Williamson would continue to take the Labour whip while his behaviour is investigated.

He also confirmed that Lord Falconer, the former lord chancellor, has been appointed to examine Labour’s internal processes, and increase transparency about the way antisemitism cases are considered by the party.

Tensions between Watson and Corbyn had already been rising since last week, when the deputy leader urged Corbyn to “broaden out” his shadow cabinet to reflect the range of opinion on the backbenchers.

On Sunday, he warned Corbyn that Labour faces a “crisis”; and asked him to examine 50 cases of antisemitism personally. Corbyn’s office responded by insisting it was not the leader’s role to involve himself in the party’s disciplinary processes.

Tom Watson says he will personally monitor antisemitism cases Read more

Theresa May also called on Corbyn to suspend Williamson. Speaking at prime minister’s questions in response to the Conservative MP James Cleverly, May said the departure of the Labour MP Luciana Berger following antisemitic abuse, while Williamson remained in the party, “tells you all you need to know about the Labour leadership”.

Stella Creasy, the MP for Walthamstow, said she told Williamson “about the toxic culture antisemitism created and why it had to be expunged not ignored … Those who perpetuate it or minimise it bring the party into disrepute.”

The Nottingham South MP, Lilian Greenwood, told the Guardian “a rap over the knuckles and a request to be nicer” was insufficient.



She said: “This is a pattern of deliberately provocative behaviour. If the party are serious about tackling antisemitism and want to be seen to be serious then he should be subject to a disciplinary investigation. Compare the party’s actions in response to [MPs] Margaret Hodge and Ian Austin. So yes, I think the whip should be withdrawn pending investigation.”

Labour MP Ian Austin quits the party over ‘culture of antisemitism’ Read more

Williamson’s controversial comments at a Sheffield Momentum rally emerged after the news that he had helped to arrange a screening in parliament of a film defending Jackie Walker, the activist suspended from the party over comments about antisemitism.

A Labour spokeswoman said it was “completely inappropriate” for Williamson to have booked a room in parliament next Monday for a screening of the film, entitled Witch Hunt.

The screening was to be hosted by Jewish Voice for Labour, a small pro-Corbyn party organisation that denies Labour has an issue with antisemitism. The screening was cancelled on Wednesday, with the film’s promoters blaming what they called “intimidation”.