Another Labour politician attended a meeting of activists that has become the centre of an antisemitism row within the party, Sky News understands.
Hyndburn councillor Munsif Dad is thought to have attended the gathering where two parliamentary candidates are alleged to have made antisemitic remarks.
On Monday, Labour withdrew support from and suspended Azhar Ali, who is standing under their banner at the upcoming Rochdale by-election, after he allegedly blamed “people in the media from certain Jewish quarters” for fuelling criticism of a pro-Palestinian Labour MP and claimed Israel planned to “get rid of [Palestinians] from Gaza” and “grab” some of the land during discussions at the meeting.
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Then on Tuesday, former Labour MP for Hyndburn, Graham Jones – who is seeking to stand for the seat again at the next election – was suspended after allegedly referring to “f***ing Israel” at the same gathering, and saying UK citizens who volunteer to fight for the Israeli Defence Forces “should be locked up”.
Sky News understands Mr Dad has been “spoken to” by Labour officials, but it is not yet clear if he made any contribution to the gathering and no further action has been taken.
Mr Dad and the Labour Party have been contacted for statement.
Appearing on Sky News’ Breakfast programme, shadow defence secretary John Healy said he “didn’t know” why the councillor had been in attendance.
But he told Kay Burley: “Where new information or evidence comes to light, as it did with Azhar Ali, as it has with Graham Jones, then the party will act and Keir Starmer will act swiftly and decisively to make sure that our candidates and our MPs meet the very highest standards that the public have a right to expect and they deserve.”
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