Response To Anti-Semitism Documentary 'Anti-Semitic Itself', Labour Whistleblower Says

12 July 2019, 09:04 | Updated: 12 July 2019, 09:09

One of the whistleblowers in a documentary about anti-Semitism in the Labour Party tells LBC the response itself has been anti-Semitic.

Ben Westerman, who worked in the Labour Party's disputes team between 2016 and 2017, described how the response to a documentary about the party's anti-Semitism has itself been anti-Semitic.

Speaking to Nick Ferrari, the former investigations officer said was "worried" by the response "which to me has been anti-Semitic itself".

"What the party has seen is a load of young Jewish members bravely come forward and speak about their experience," Mr Westerman said.

"To go public against a big institution like the Labour Party, which is known to everyone in the country, is a scary thing and to put your face on TV like that.

"And instead of showing contrition and saying these people had really suffered as they clearly have, the party has implied that they're lying, that these young Jewish people have an agenda or an axe to grind which itself is indicative of this problem."

Ben Westerman in the LBC studio
Ben Westerman in the LBC studio. Picture: LBC

It comes as Labour's general secretary Jennie Formby accused deputy leader Tom Watson of being "irresponsible" in his criticisms of the party's handling of anti-Semitism.

Mr Watson called on the party to publish its submission to the UK's equality watchdog, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, who are investigating whether the party "unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people because they are Jewish".

But Mr Formby hit back at the deputy leader, saying he was 'abusing his considerable platform' to "traduce" her reputation.

"By choosing to ignore the steps taken by his party, and commenting so uncritically about the Panorama programme, you are complicit in creating a perception that anti-Semitism is more prevalent in the Labour Party than wider society," Ms Formby wrote in a letter to Mr Watson.

"This is deeply irresponsible for the deputy leader of a party which seeks to be in government, and risks exacerbating the fear that Jewish

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Exclusive
The mural on the wall of the Golden Chippy

A Greenwich fish and chip shop that's causing a stink over painting, as owner tells LBC he's 'determined to keep mural up'

Rishi Sunak’s job is under threat from a plot of backbench Tory MPs who want to replace him with Penny Mordaunt before the general election.

Tories 'need to stop messing around and get behind the Prime Minister,' Business Secretary tells LBC

Exclusive
'This is trivia': Kemi Badenoch hits out at continued furore over Tory donor 'racism' row

'This is trivia': Kemi Badenoch hits out at continued furore over Tory donor 'racism' row

Government suspends tariffs on key imports to boost SMEs launching £660 million northern powerhouse fund

Government suspends tariffs on key imports to boost SMEs launching £660 million northern powerhouse fund

'Floating voters' unconvinced by Jeremy Hunt's Budget

LBC's 'Floating Voters' left unconvinced by Jeremy Hunt's Budget

Leila Khaled, who hijacked planes, will appear via video link at a fundraiser hosted by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Andy Street wants police to look at the event

'I'm not comfortable with it': West Mids Mayor to speak to police amid fury over Palestinian hijacker’s fundraiser

Andy Street taking calls from the public on Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Tory MP's claim that Birmingham has 'no-go areas' was 'ridiculous', West Midlands Mayor tells LBC

Minister quizzed on tweet where he described Trump as 'cancer'

Minister Bim Afolami says tweet in which he referred to Donald Trump as 'a cancer' is appropriate

Lee Anderson

Police 'looking into hate speech complaint against Lee Anderson' after MP said Sadiq Khan was controlled by Islamists

Richard Tice said he turned down two Tories who tried to join the party

Reform UK leader Richard Tice says he rejected two Tory MPs who tried to defect in the last year

Michael Tomlinson repeatedly refused to answer Nick Ferrari's question

Nick Ferrari cuts off minister who refuses to answer his questions nine times over Lee Anderson's 'Islamophobic remarks'

Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt for sacking Lee Anderson

Lee Anderson refuses to apologise for 'Islamist' comments as he doubles down on criticism of Sadiq Khan

Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt for sacking Lee Anderson

PM denies Tories have 'Islamophobic tendencies' as minister says Lee Anderson's comments were 'profoundly wrong'

Dame Esther Rantzen has told LBC why she is campaigning to change the law on assisted dying

‘Dogs get treated better than humans’, Esther Rantzen says, as TV legend demands assisted dying law change

Rishi Sunak (l) puts on a brave face to the Tories by-election defeats on a visit to Harlow. New Kingswood MP Damien Egan (top r) and Wellingborough MP Gem Kitchen (bottom r)

Rishi Sunak begs frustrated Tories 'not to put Starmer in power' after party suffers double by-election disaster

New Labour MPs Damien Egan and Gen Kitchen

'They are not very good results': Tory chairman admits after double by-election drubbings as MPs call for tax cuts