"Many Photos" - Labour veteran Joan Ryan becomes the eighth MP to quit the party

Joan Ryan, the MP for Enfield North, said she would be joining the newly founded Independent Group, alongside seven other disaffected Labour parliamentarians

The crisis within Labour deepened last night as an eighth MP quit the party, accusing Jeremy Corbyn of 'presiding over a culture of anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel'.

Joining the group that broke away on Monday, Joan Ryan said she 'could not be part of a party that allows racism to flourish'. She said Mr Corbyn was 'a danger' and compared him to Donald Trump.

Miss Ryan joined Labour in 1983 and was first elected MP for Enfield North in 1997.

In her resignation letter, the chairman of Labour Friends of Israel said the party had become 'infected with the scourge of anti-Jewish racism'.

She added: 'This problem simply did not exist in the party before [Corbyn's] election as leader. No previous Labour leader would have allowed this huge shame to befall the party.' She added that she had been 'horrified, appalled and angered to see the Labour leadership's dereliction of duty in the face of this evil.' She said Labour provoked 'bewilderment, fear and anger' among the Jewish community.

Shortly before submitting her formal notice of resignation last night Miss Ryan, 63, said she considered the move to be a duty in an interview with The Times. 'It's obviously not a delight, it's painful,' she said of her decision. She later tweeted: 'After four decades, I have made the terribly difficult decision to resign from the Labour Party. It is the greatest honour of my life to represent the people of Enfield North.'

The Labour leader has been warned he could lose as many as 50 MPs if he refuses to tackle the anti-Semitism, bullying and hard-left culture cited by the seven politicians who triggered the biggest split in British politics since 1981

She paid tribute to Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson who she said had chosen to continue the fight from within the party.

She said the party had become focused on 'rage, betrayal and hunt for heretics', rather than being an open party. Angela Smith, another of the defectors, tweeted: 'Welcome Joan.' Gavin Shuker, who also quit Labour on Monday, tweeted: 'Such respect for Joan. I know how hard this is. But we're building something powerful together.'

Earlier yesterday Labour found itself engulfed in a fresh anti-Semitism storm after one of its MPs suggested the defectors were being secretly bankrolled by Israel.  

Joan Ryan, MP for Enfield North, resignation statement in full

Ruth George said it was 'possible' the Israeli state was financially backing her former colleagues.

The extraordinary row came as the 2,000-strong Jewish Labour Movement (JLM), which has been the party's official Jewish group for 99 years, threatened to disaffiliate and quit the party. The group said it would hold crisis talks to decide 'where we go from here' after the seven departing Labour MPs said the party had become 'institutionally anti-Semitic'. Wes Streeting, a Labour MP and vice-chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for British Jews, warned that such a move 'would be a nail in the coffin for the Labour Party'.

Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker, Ann Coffey and Mike Gapes left in rage at Mr Corbyn's leadership

Miss George last night 'unreservedly and wholeheartedly' apologised for her comments and said she had no intention of 'invoking a conspiracy theory'. The MP had claimed that the defectors, which includes Jewish MP Luciana Berger and Chuka Umunna, may have been receiving money from Israel. 

In a Facebook post, she suggested that 'support from the State of Israel, which supports both Conservative and Labour 'Friends of Israel' of which Luciana was chair is possible and I would not condemn those who suggest it, especially when the group's financial backers are not being revealed'.

'It's important for democracy to know the financial backers for any political group or policy,' she added. Tory MP Simon Clarke said Miss George's posts were 'staggering', adding: 'All the lazy conflation of smears about Israel, Jewish MPs and those who dare to criticise the hideous state of the Labour Party are on display in full technicolor.'

Miss George's comment had been made in response to a request to condemn an activist who had labelled the breakaway MPs 'Israelis'. The MP said: 'I would condemn the calling of anyone as an Israeli when it's not the case. The comment appears not to refer to the independent MPs but to their financial backers.'

The JLM is considering holding a ballot to decide whether to disaffiliate. Meetings will take place in London and Manchester on March 6.

Mr Streeting added: 'The JLM is one of Labour's oldest affiliates – predating even some of our most well-known trades unions. They helped found and build Labour. If Jewish members disaffiliate, and it is ultimately their choice, it would be a nail in the coffin for the Labour Party itself.' 

'Scourge of anti-Semitism': Ryan's second statement to constituents 

STILL Corbyn refuses to change: Defiant Labour leader blasts defecting MPs 'who were elected to deliver HIS manifesto' and ignores calls from his own deputies to address the party's raging anti-Semitism problem 

Jeremy Corbyn insisted the 'gang of seven' who quit Labour yesterday were all elected to deliver his policies in a blunt rebuke to the MPs. 

The Labour leader said he was 'disappointed' the MPs had resigned but sidestepped questions about whether he would change his approach.

Mr Corbyn has been warned by his own he must change his leadership style or face even more walkouts after the biggest split in British politics since 1981.

His intervention today ignores the warning of deputy leader Tom Watson, who refused to criticise the members of the Independent Group for their 'premature' decision. 

Mr Corbyn even appears to be standing apart from his cloest ally in politics shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who called for a 'mammoth listening exercise' in the party today.

Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker, Ann Coffey and Mike Gapes left in rage at Mr Corbyn's leadership. 

Jeremy Corbyn insisted the 'gang of seven' who quit Labour yesterday were all elected to deliver his policies in a blunt rebuke to the MPs

His intervention today ignores the warning of deputy leader Tom Watson, who refused to criticise the members of the Independent Group for their 'premature' decision

What is the Independent Group and can you vote for it?  

What happened yesterday? 

Seven MPs resigned from the Labour Party and set up something called the Independent Group

Is it a political party? 

No. It is a small business - technically a limited company - called Gemini A Ltd that was set up Gavin Shuker, one of the MPs, in January.

Can I vote for it? 

No. Unless and until it registers with the Electoral Commission, it cannot stand candidates.

Can I donate to it? 

Yes. The group is accepting donations through its website theindependent.group. It says donations will support the newly independent MPs.

What does it want? 

All seven are Remain supporters and most of them have promoted a second referendum to cancel Brexit. They say they want evidence-based policy making to tackle the challenges facing Britain - without being inside a toxic Labour Party.

The Labour leader told the EEF conference in London today that anyone in Labour who did not feel they were being listened to 'are not taking up the opportunities that are available'. 

Addressing the Make UK conference in London, Mr Corbyn said: 'I regret that seven MPs decided they would no longer remain part of the Labour Party, I thank them for their work.

'I hope they recognise that they were elected to Parliament on a manifesto that was based around investment in the future, was based around a more equal and fairer society and based around social justice.'

He added: 'They were elected to carry out those policies, they decided to go somewhere else and I regret that because I want our party to be strong, I want our party to be united around the policies that we have put forward.'

Asked about Mr Watson's call for him to work more consensually, Mr Corbyn blasted: 'Anyone who thinks they are not being consulted are not taking up, in my view, the opportunities that are available there and open and ready for them at all times to do that.

'I'm always prepared to discuss policies with people in the party and I do all the time.' 

As they walked out of Labour yesterday, the Independent Group warned 'politics is broken' and appealed from other parties to join their new group. 

The Jewish Labour Movement considers quitting Corbyn party after 99 years 

The Jewish Labour Movement has called an emergency meeting to discuss whether to leave Jeremy Corbyn's party.

The JLM has been affiliated to Labour for 99 years and is the only Jewish organisation formally tied to the party.

But it is reconsidering the position after Jewish MP Luciana Berger led a major split from Labour yesterday, warning it was 'institutionally anti-Semitic'. 

JLM secretary Peter Mason has called  extraordinary general meetings to be held concurrently in London and Manchester on 6 March 'to decide collectively where we go from here', Jewish News revealed.

He said: 'Far too little has been achieved for the party to be able to claim in all honesty that it upholds the zero tolerance environment promised.' 

Their resignation signals the biggest split in British politics since the SDP walked out of Labour in 1981 and realigned the left - paving the way for Tony Blair's election in 1997.  

They appealed to the public for donations to get the new project - which is not yet a political party and is not yet able to stand candidates - off the ground. 

Mr Umunna told the Today programme the 'gang of seven' were putting 'everything on the line' - and said: 'We're inviting anybody who shares our values to join us.

'There are clearly a lot of Labour MPs wrestling with their conscience, and Conservatives who are demoralised for the Ukip-isation, if you like, of the party.' 

Mr Ummuna added: 'There are many other people who have misgivings about their parties.

Liverpool Wavertree MP Luciana Berger said yesterday: 'This morning we have all now resigned from the Labour Party. This has been a very difficult, painful, but necessary decision.'

She added: 'For my part, I have become embarrassed and ashamed to remain in the Labour Party.

Mr Corbyn has been warned by his own he must change his leadership style or face even more walkouts after the biggest split in British politics since 1981

Mr Corbyn even appears to be standing apart from his cloest ally in politics shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who called for a 'mammoth listening exercise' in the party today

MP apologises for saying Independent Group funded by Israel

A Labour MP has apologised after suggesting that seven former colleagues who broke away from Jeremy Corbyn's party may have had Israeli backing.

High Peak MP Ruth George 'unreservedly and wholeheartedly' apologised and said she had no intention of 'invoking a conspiracy theory'.

The seven - including Jewish MP Luciana Berger - blamed Labour's failure to tackle anti-Semitism as one of their reasons for leaving.

Ms George acknowledged her comment had been 'ill-thought out' and 'poorly worded'.

A Labour Party spokesman said: 'It's right that Ruth George has apologised for these offensive remarks.

'The Whips Office is reminding Ruth George of the conduct expected of her.'

'I cannot remain in a party which I have come to the sickening conclusion is institutionally anti-Semitic.'

Mr Watson warned Mr Corbyn he could lose more MPs if he did not respond effectively to today's blow.

He said: 'I think our colleagues have come to a premature conclusion. But this is a moment for regret and reflection, not for a mood of anger or a tone of triumph. There are those who are already celebrating the departure of colleagues with whom they disagree.

'The hard left can be too easily tempted into the language of heresy and treachery.

'Betrayal narratives and shouting insults at the departed might make some feel better briefly but it does nothing to address the reasons that good colleagues might want to leave.'

He added: 'The identity of this party must be tolerant, multi-cultural, generous and welcoming. To put it mildly, we need to be kinder and gentler.

'I love this party. But sometimes I no longer recognise it.

'That is why I do not regard those who have resigned today as traitors.'

 

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