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Liverpool Riverside MP Louise Ellman has called for her own constituency party to be suspended so an investigation can be launched into allegations of “entryism” and anti-Semitism.

A complaint was made to party bosses after a Riverside Labour party meeting in April at which anti-Semitic remarks were allegedly made.

And last week an internal party investigation claimed far-left activists from Momentum had been trying to take control of the Riverside party to deselect local MP Ms Ellman.

The allegations have been strongly denied by Momentum, the left-wing group borne out of Jeremy Corbyn’s successful campaign for the party leadership last year.

But this afternoon Ms Ellman said she and a number of officials within the local party were calling on Mr Corbyn and party general secretary Iain McNicol “to suspend party activity in Liverpool Riverside in order to launch an investigation into last week’s reports of entryism and anti-Semitism”.

Ms Ellman said: “I was appalled to read of the extent of Momentum activity within Liverpool Riverside CLP. There is clearly evidence of an organised attempt by this group to take over Labour Party structures.

“In addition, I am deeply concerned by evidence of a concerted effort to prevent an investigation into the accusations of antisemitism against me. Labour must show it is serious about tackling antisemitism and ensure there is no further delay to setting up an independent inquiry into these allegations.

“I am calling upon the leader of the Labour Party to condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms and to support my request for a full investigation of Momentum in Liverpool. Until these issues are resolved, the activities of Liverpool Riverside CLP should be suspended.”

Last week Audrey White, a member of Momentum and of Riverside Labour, said sugestions Momentum was trying to take over the party were “absolute nonsense”.

And yesterday she told the ECHO that Riverside members had been “tainted” by the anti-Semitism “slur”,

The Labour party would not comment on Ms Ellman’s statement.

But yesterday, in response to Ms White’s comments, a party source said: The ECHO was told: “The Party is aware of the complaints that have been made and will look into them. We take these issues very seriously.”