Labour lawmaker quits party, citing longtime tolerance of anti-Semitism

Labour MP John Woodcock, a prominent critic of party leader Jeremy Corbyn, resigns from the party over what he says is the spread of anti-Semitism in the party.

In his resignation letter, Woodcock says the party has been “taken over by the hard left” and has “tolerated” anti-Semitism. He also says Corbyn “would pose a clear risk to UK national security as prime minister.”

Woodcock was suspended by the party earlier this year over accusations he sent inappropriate messages to female staff members in 2014.

In his letter he also accuses the party of “refusing to appoint an independent investigator to rule on my disciplinary,” saying the process had been “manipulated for factional purposes.”

My letter to Jeremy Corbyn resigning from the Labour Party. I will continue to serve the people of Barrow and Furness as an independent MP pic.twitter.com/8PJtgurK3X

— Lord Walney (@LordWalney) July 18, 2018