Enough is Enough protest: Labour MPs join hundreds of activists outside Parliament in campaign to stamp out anti-Semitism in party

As Jeremy Corbyn admits that anti-Semitism in Labour is "not just a few bad apples"
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Hundreds of activists protested outside Parliament after Jewish community leaders accused Jeremy Corbyn of siding with anti-Semites "again and again".

Chants of "shame on you", directed towards a smaller group of those in support of Mr Corbyn, rang out while a number of scuffles and angry exchanges took place.

The demo, held as the Labour Party was due to meet, was organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council.

It came as the opposition leader apologised for "hurt and pain" caused by instances of anti-Semitism in Labour in a letter to both organisations.

The protest was organised by the British Board of Jewish Deputies for those who oppose anti-Semitism
REUTERS

A number of speeches took place, with Labour MP Luciana Berger, parliamentary chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, saying: "I tell you that anti-Semitism is very real and it's alive in the Labour Party."

"It pains me to have to stand before you and have to say that today," she added.

She said anti-Semitism within the party had now become more "conspicuous", "commonplace" and "corrosive".

Jonathan Goldstein, chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council, said: "Anti-Semitism has no place whatsoever in a mainstream political party," to which the crowd replied "Hear, hear".

Addressing those gathered, he said: "It's a scourge on our society, it must be rooted out.

"So we are here to say to Jeremy Corbyn: Enough is enough. The time for talking is over, the time for words is over, and the time for action has begun.

"Enough is enough."

Hundreds of protesters descended on Parliament on Monday evening
REUTERS

Labour MPs John Mann, Chuka Umunna, Wes Streeting, Stella Creasy, Liz Kendall and John Woodcock were among those attending the Monday evening protest.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid was also present.

Protesters called out for Mr Corbyn to resign as he was encouraged to "finally, finally take some responsibility" by Jonathan Arkush, from the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

Just before 6pm, politicians left to deliver an open letter to the parliamentary Labour Party meeting due to begin.

Mr Corbyn's apology came amid a growing backlash in the row over his 2012 comments on Facebook about an east London mural by street artist Mear One which was due to be removed.

He suggested the artist was "in good company" because the Rockefeller family had covered over a mural featuring Lenin in their New York development.

Mr Corbyn wrote in a letter to the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council: "I recognise that anti-Semitism has surfaced within the Labour Party, and has too often been dismissed as simply a matter of a few bad apples.

"This has caused pain and hurt to Jewish members of our party and to the wider Jewish community in Britain. I am sincerely sorry for the pain which has been caused, and pledge to redouble my efforts to bring this anxiety to an end.

"I must make it clear that I will never be anything other than a militant opponent of anti-Semitism."

He has also personally apologised for questioning the removal of a controversial mural in London.

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