The Labour leadership needs to act far more decisively over allegations of anti-Semitism in the ranks, the party’s candidate for London mayor has said.
Sadiq Khan said there could be no place for anyone holding the views of Ken Livingstone, who plunged the party into turmoil last week with his claim that Hitler supported Zionism in the 1930s.
Speaking to reporters following his final speech of the campaign before Thursday’s vote, Mr Khan said the leadership should undergo training on tackling anti-Semitism.
“They need to understand what anti-Semitism is. Maybe they could do with some training about the importance of dealing with these issues and also how serious and pernicious it is,” he said.
“I think the Labour leadership needs to act far more decisively and swiftly when these sorts of comments are made.”
Mr Khan, who was among the first Labour MPs to call for the suspension of Mr Livingstone – a long-time ally of leader Jeremy Corbyn – said that while he had received support from London’s Jewish community, there were some who no longer felt they could vote Labour.
“It can’t be right that there are Londoners of Jewish faith who feel the Labour Party is not a place for them,” he said.
“The comments by Ken Livingstone were appalling and disgusting. There can be no place for anyone who holds those views in the Labour Party.”
He played down suggestions that the row could damage his election chances.
“I think Londoners recognise on the ballot paper on Thursday you won’t see Jeremy Corbyn’s name, Ken Livingstone’s name, David Cameron or Boris Johnson,” he said.
