Every Day Brings A New Story On Labour Anti-Semitism Crisis: Former Labour MP

17 April 2019, 09:50 | Updated: 17 April 2019, 09:59

After shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon admitted to making an anti-Zionist remark, former Labour MP Ian Austin has said that the 'cover up' was just as bad as the 'crime'.

Shadow cabinet member Richard Burgon has said that he regrets saying that Zionism is the "enemy of peace" back in 2014.

The Labour MP for Leeds East denied making the remark in a BBC interview last year, but has now admitted doing so after footage emerged of him saying it.

The Labour Friends of Israel group accused him of "seemingly misleading the public".

Mr Burgon has said that he would not use the "simplistic language" again.

Ian Austin, a former Labour MP who left the party in February due to what he called a 'culture of antisemitism' spoke to Nick Ferrai about the story.

"I think Richard Burton should resign, and if he doesn't resign he should be sacked", said the now Independent MP for Dudley North.

Nick Ferrari Ian Austin
Picture: LBC & PA

The former Labour MP expressed: "To have said this in the first place is pretty terrible, and then to have been caught out not telling the truth about it, denying it, I think makes his position completely untenable. This is someone who conspires to be in charge of the legal system under a Labour government.

"I don't think any previous Labour leader would have tolerated someone saying that in the first place, and then being caught out denying it" he said, also referring to Corbyn as "completely unfit".

Mr Austin continued: "Every day brings a new story about the crisis of anti-semitism in the Labour party, every single day".

"People often say in politics the cover up is worse than the crime, but I think they're both pretty bad in this case", the MP said.

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Nigel Farage 'reduced to tears' over ECHR rule which saw Albanian criminal's deportation 'halted over chicken nuggets'

Nigel Farage 'reduced to tears' over ECHR rule which saw Albanian criminal's deportation 'halted over chicken nuggets'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage joins farmers and their tractors at Belmont Farm in north London

Farage urges farmers to 'keep the pressure up' as tractor protest hits Westminster over Labour’s ‘family farm tax’

Exclusive
Calls for police to reinvestigate parish councillor who 'blew up' neighbour's cat

Parish councillor resigns after being accused of trying to ‘blow up’ beloved pet cat

Exclusive
Calls for police to reinvestigate parish councillor who 'blew up' neighbour's cat

‘It made me feel physically sick’: Cat owner’s fury at parish councillor accused of trying to ‘blow up’ beloved pet

Nick Ferrari Reflects on an Unforgettable Journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau with Holocaust Survivor Arek Hersh

Nick Ferrari reflects on an unforgettable journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau with Holocaust survivor Arek Hersh

Actress and Writer Dame Maureen Lipman reads The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

Actress and Writer Dame Maureen Lipman reads The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

Exclusive
Online extremism under scrutiny: The Prime Minister calls for tougher regulations to curb access to violent content following the Southport murders.

Terrorism ‘kill guides’ shared in social media groups targeting 'loners' and people 'obsessed with violence'

Southport attack was ‘not an act of terrorism,’ Met chief Sir Mark Rowley tells LBC

Southport attack was ‘not an act of terrorism,’ Met chief Sir Mark Rowley tells LBC

Exclusive
The Chagos Islands deal is set to be a 'disaster' for US-UK relations, a former Home Secretary has said

'Surrender' of Chagos Islands to Mauritius would be 'disaster' for Labour's relationship with Trump, Braverman says

Exclusive
Britain's deal to cede the Chagos Islands has been cast into doubt

Labour deal to hand over Chagos Islands thrown into doubt as Starmer gives Trump time to 'consider' agreement

Exclusive
The UK and Mauritius said they have made "good progress" on a revised agreement, with Mauritian PM Navin Ramgoolam claiming the UK wants it finalised before Donald Trump is sworn in as president on January 20.

UK 'mid negotiation' over Chagos deal as government deny they're rushing deal through before Trump takes office

Rachel Reeves says UK must go 'further and faster' in search of growth - as Chancellor faces criticism over China visit

Rachel Reeves says UK must go 'further and faster' in search of growth - as Chancellor faces criticism over China visit

Rachel Reeves faces growing scrutiny as market jitters spark calls for fiscal clarity

Rachel Reeves faces growing pressure as market turmoil raises questions over Labour's fiscal credibility

Exclusive
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York 'thrilled' to support Nick Ferrari's Kids Who Read Succeed campaign.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York 'thrilled' to support Nick Ferrari's Kids Who Read Succeed campaign

Reform is “fixed” in favour of Nigel Farage, former deputy leader claims as he hits back at former boss

Reform is 'fixed' in favour of Nigel Farage, former deputy leader claims as he hits back at former boss

Nigel Farage has told LBC he has "no desire to go to war with Elon Musk".

Nigel Farage tells LBC he doesn't want 'war' with Elon Musk and he plans to 'mend fences' at Trump's inauguration