Jeremy Corbyn was accused of playing the “victim” in Labour’s anti-Semitism row yesterday as he appeared to backtrack on past apologies to the Jewish community in a “depressing and worrying” interview.

The party leader appeared to rein in his condemnation of an anti-Semitic mural, as well as apparently trying to justify his comments about some British "Zionists" not understanding “English irony”.

Mr Corbyn also declined to apologise to Jewish people when asked to do so during an appearance on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show at the start of Labour’s annual conference.

It came as Labour MPs lined up to criticise Mr Corbyn and union chiefs for failing to properly address anti-Semitism within the movement.

The MPs warned the row would cost the party the next general election as they called for Labour to send anti-Semitic activists to Auschwitz for an education and hit out at "sinister" trade union chiefs.

The comments were made at a packed Jewish Labour Movement fringe event and served as a powerful reminder of the anger felt by many MPs over the issue which has defined the party’s summer.

Previously, Mr Corbyn apologised profusely for questioning the removal of an anti-Semitic mural in east London and said it was “deeply disturbing".