Labour warned over anti-semitism by Brighton council leader

The leader of Brighton and Hove City Council told his party to deal with accusations of anti-semitism at the Labour’s annual conference before the event can be held in the city again.

Cllr Warren Morgan wrote to Labour’s general secretary Iain McNicol yesterday (September 6), during the party conference at the Brighton Centre which concludes today (September 27).

He said: “Anti-semitism will not be tolerated in our city.”

In a letter to Mr McNicol Cllr Morgan said: “I hope that you and the entire Labour team here in Brighton and Hove are enjoying your stay and that the facilities offered by the Brighton Centre are everything that you would expect from us. As a city we very much appreciate the business that Conference brings to our hotels, restaurants and shops.

“I am however very concerned at the anti-semitism being aired publicly in fringe meetings and on the floor of conference. We have a significant Jewish community in Brighton and Hove, and I met with them only last week to discuss the anti-semitism already on our streets, causing them fear and alarm.

“As the Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council I will undoubtedly face questions as to why we allow any event where anti-semitic views are freely expressed to happen in the city, particularly on council premises. As a Labour Party member I expect the enquiry announced today to take firm action; as leader I will need reassurances that there will be no repeat of the behaviour and actions we have seen this week before any further bookings from the Party are taken.

“I must apply the same standards to Labour as I would to any other Party Conference or political event; whilst none of us can control what is said at meetings we do not run, I have to make the strongest possible representation on behalf of the residents of the city who are Jewish. We are a City of Sanctuary and I have to speak up against any form of racism as and when it is given a platform in the city.”

He added: “Jeremy Corbyn and the front bench have been clear on their condemnation of anti-semitism. Conference approved a rule change with the support of 96 per cent of delegates to make anti-Semitic behaviour even more explicitly against the Party rules than it was previously. I’m calling for those rules to be enforced, so that we can welcome Conference back to Brighton and Hove again.

“Anti-Semitism is racism. The Labour Party is an anti-racist Party. Brighton and Hove is a city where all should feel safe and secure. These are things which should not be in question.”

A Labour spokesman said: “Anti-semitism is repugnant and has no place in our party or at our conference.

“Today (September 26), Conference overwhelmingly voted to approve the tough new rules to tackle discrimination that were endorsed by the NEC last week. Anti-semitism is taken extremely seriously and any instances will be investigated and acted upon.”