An inadequate measure
MPs Diane Abbott and Bell Ribeiro-Addy
Statement on Diane Abbott and Bell Ribeiro-Addy Zoom Meeting
Euan Philipps, spokesperson for Labour Against Antisemitism, said:
“The actions of Diane Abbott and Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who last night shared a platform with expelled former Labour members Jackie Walker and Tony Greenstein, demanded a strong and unequivocal response from the Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer.
Unfortunately, his decision to remind the two MPs of their responsibilities is an inadequate measure that fails to meet the standards he agreed to just a few weeks ago.
When Sir Keir signed the Board of Deputies pledges - which included a commitment to suspend the membership of any MPs “who support, campaign or provide a platform for people who have been suspended or expelled in the wake of antisemitic incidents” - there was an expectation that as party leader he would honour those pledges. Today he has failed to do so.
Instead of removing the parliamentary whip from Ms Abbott and Ms Ribeiro-Addy and insisting that Jennie Formby suspend their membership, as he could have done, Sir Keir has missed the opportunity to send a clear message that antisemitism will not be tolerated in his party.”
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