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Two candidates for Labour's deputy leader today said they are not backing a set of anti-Semitism pledges issued by the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

Richard Burgon was criticised by some members after telling a hustings why he "has not signed and won't be signing" the document.

Rival Dawn Butler - Labour's Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary - also said she would not sign the pledges, which are backed by all five leadership candidates.

The 10 requests include making an "independent provider" responsible for complaints, engaging more with "main representative groups" and not "fringe" bodies, and banning those expelled over anti-Semitism for life.

They also include adopting the full IHRA definition of anti-Semitism "without qualification".

(Image: Christopher Furlong)

Left-wing leadership hopeful Rebecca Long-Bailey said today "I don't have a problem with" the 10 requests. Rival Lisa Nandy added the rebuilding of trust "starts with these pledges and that starts right now".

But Mr Burgon told a hustings in Liverpool: "I will support the leader in fighting anti-Semitism in our party and fighting anti-Semitism in society. I do believe, obviously, in working with the Board of Deputies in the fight against anti-Semitism. I have not signed and won't be signing the 10 pledges however, because of some concerns I have.

"Firstly, I'm concerned about outsourcing our complaints procedure and how that would work in practice, so I think that needs clarfiying.

"But secondly I want to work with the Board of Deputies and all Jewish organisations against discrimination.

(Image: Christopher Furlong)

"I'm concerned that the minorities within a minority, whether it be LGBT Jewish people, black Jewish people, Jewish people who are religious minority within that minority, their voices need to be heard as well. We need to listen and act with the whole Jewish community."

Mr Burgon added there was "no place for anti-Semitism or anti-Semites in our party".

Fellow candidate Dawn Butler took a similar view, saying: "The EHRC (Equalities and Human Rights Commission) are investigating us at the moment. It's nothing to be proud of.

"And I don't want to jump the gun on whatever they come out with. So I haven't signed the 10 pledges because I want the EHRC report to be implemented in the party.

"And then we sit down with the Board of Deputies, JLM, the other Jewish groups, and we have a discussion about where we go next.

"I don’t want to rush this. It’s too important to rush it and we have to get it right."

She added "I hate racism and it has to be eradicated" and those who are responsible should be "booted out".

Both Ms Butler's and Mr Burgon's comments drew loud applause from the parts of the audience in Liverpool.

Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott tweeted: "Richard Burgon gets the most applause of anyone at the Liverpool deputy leadership hustings for his thoughtful response on the anti-Semitism issue."

The details of the Board of Deputies pledges have angered some activists on the left of the party, who say they would undermine Labour's independence.

But Young Labour chair Miriam Mirwitch hit out at Mr Burgon’s “unacceptable” stance.

She said it “normalises some abhorrent views” and “actively harms any attempts to rebuild trust with our community.”

Jewish Labour NEC member Joshua Garfield tweeted: "Burgon is going out of his way for the crank vote. A vote that, had the party properly handled complaints, wouldn’t exist anymore.

"Heartbreaking to see MPs I once respected fall behind his campaign."

It came as other candidates for deputy also set out their stalls at the hustings in Liverpool.

Rosena Allin-Khan said every candidate for leader and deputy should apologise to the Jewish community.

She said her first major meeting would be with the Jewish Labour Movement, she would adopt all EHRC recommendations, and cases would have a time limit and be investigated independently.

Ian Murray said he wanted “every single case of anti-Semitism on my desk every week” and a “zero-tolerance approach”.

Angela Rayner told the hustings "we can't outsource this problem" and internal processes must be up to scratch. She added: “There have been anti-Semites in this party and we’ve got to kick them out immediately.”

Elsewhere in the hustings, Richard Burgon said he wanted to extend the "democratisation" of the Labour Party will full open selections for MP candidates.

Pledging loyalty to the next leader after Jeremy Corbyn clashed with his deputy Tom Watson, Ms Butler said: "I will never ever ever join a coup because no one votes for a disunited party.”

But rival Ian Murray said: "You need to be a critical friend in order to reflect that voice of the Labour movement."

Frontrunner Angela Rayner added: "I have always been a friend that has not been shy of saying what needs to be said."