Len McCluskey branded anti-Corbyn MPs who quit Labour 'hypocrites' today and said it was 'grossly unfair' for them to leave over anti-Semitism.
The Unite leader claimed the allegation around abuse of Jews were 'contrived', insisting Labour had made huge progress in tackling the problem.
One of the seven MPs to quit the party today is Jewish MP Luciana Berger. She branded her former party 'institutionally anti-Semitic' after enduring years of abuse for standing up to the problem inside Labour.
Jewish leaders said the decision of the MPs to quit was a 'searing indictment' of the Labour leadership's failure to tackle the anti-Semitism crisis.
Jewish leaders said the decision of the MPs to quit was a 'searing indictment' of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's failure to tackle the anti-Semitism crisis
Mr McCluskey said there was a 'strong whiff of hypocrisy' about the resignations because their majorities increased under Mr Corbyn's manifesto.
He told the BBC that the MPs had stood on a manifesto which promised to respect the 2016 referendum and 'all of their heartbreak about what's happened in Brexit sounds a little bit hollow'.
He added 'the issue about anti-Semitism, I just think, is grossly unfair' because Labour general secretary Jennie Formby has 'done more in the few months that she has been in office than previous administrations'.
Of the anti-Semitism claims, he said: 'They are still a very miniority of Labour Party members and I think the whole thing is contrived.'
The resignations prompted a furious backlash from the Left, with the Young Labour Twitter account vowed: 'Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer, we'll keep the red flag flying here.'
MPs from the group (including Mike Gapes top and Chuka Umunna bottom) faced demands on social media for them to resign and allow by-elections
Former Labour mayor of London Ken Livingstone - who was suspended from the party for years over anti-Semitism before resigning - told TalkRadio 'almost all of this stuff about anti-Semitism and racism is based on lies'.
He said: 'I joined Labour 50 years ago and I never heard one anti-Semitic comment... this is a good old smear.'
A furious backlash from the left started immediately. The Momentum group that supports Mr Corbyn said the MPs wanted to 'drag Britain back to the politics of the past' while union chiefs warned they had 'no policies, no ideas and no direction'.
The Young Labour Twitter account vowed: 'Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer, we'll keep the red flag flying here.'
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell demanded the MPs resign their seats and fight by-elections - insisting it was the 'honourable' course of action after Mr Corbyn's manifesto helped them increase their majorities in 2017.
One of the seven MPs to quit the party today is Jewish MP Luciana Berger (pictured today at the launch). She branded her former party 'institutionally anti-Semitic' after enduring years of abuse for standing up to the problem inside Labour
Following the resignations today, the President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews Marie van der Zyl said: 'Today a group of seven Labour MPs announced their decision to leave the Labour Party and sit as an independent group in Parliament.
'In a searing indictment of the Labour leadership both Luciana Berger MP and Mike Gapes MP accused the party of being institutionally anti-Semitic.
'In the light of the horrific abuse aimed at Jewish MPs, we stand in solidarity with all those who have been targeted.
'Labour has failed to deal with anti-Semitism since the Jewish Community's Enough is Enough demonstration called on the Labour leadership to act against this racism.
'This is a moment of great shame for the Labour Party and a tragedy for the thousands of Jews who have supported the Party for generations.'
At today's press conference, Ms Berger said: 'For my part, I have become embarrassed and ashamed to remain in the Labour Party.
'I have not changed. The core values of equality for all, opportunity for all, anti-racism against all and social justice - the values which I hold really dear and which led me to join the Labour Party as a student almost 20 years ago - remain who I am.
'And yet these values have been consistently and constantly violated, undermined and attacked, as the Labour Party today declines to my constituents and our country before party interests.
'I cannot remain in a party which I have come to the sickening conclusion is institutionally anti-Semitic.'
Another of the group Mike Gapes, a former chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, told the press conference: 'I am sickened that the Labour Party is now a racist, anti-Semitic party.'
Len McCluskey (pictured today on the BBC) branded anti-Corbyn MPs who quit Labour 'hypocrites' today and said it was 'grossly unfair' for them to leave over anti-Semitism
Jewish leaders said the decision of the MPs to quit was a 'searing indictment' of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's failure to tackle the anti-Semitism crisisMr McCluskey said there was a 'strong whiff of hypocrisy' about the resignations because their majorities increased under Mr Corbyn's manifesto.He told the BBC that the MPs had stood on a manifesto which promised to respect the 2016 referendum and 'all of their heartbreak about what's happened in Brexit sounds a little bit hollow'.He added 'the issue about anti-Semitism, I just think, is grossly unfair' because Labour general secretary Jennie Formby has 'done more in the few months that she has been in office than previous administrations'.Of the anti-Semitism claims, he said: 'They are still a very miniority of Labour Party members and I think the whole thing is contrived.'
The resignations prompted a furious backlash from the Left, with the Young Labour Twitter account vowed: 'Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer, we'll keep the red flag flying here.'
MPs from the group (including Mike Gapes top and Chuka Umunna bottom) faced demands on social media for them to resign and allow by-electionsFormer Labour mayor of London Ken Livingstone - who was suspended from the party for years over anti-Semitism before resigning - told TalkRadio 'almost all of this stuff about anti-Semitism and racism is based on lies'.He said: 'I joined Labour 50 years ago and I never heard one anti-Semitic comment... this is a good old smear.'A furious backlash from the left started immediately. The Momentum group that supports Mr Corbyn said the MPs wanted to 'drag Britain back to the politics of the past' while union chiefs warned they had 'no policies, no ideas and no direction'.The Young Labour Twitter account vowed: 'Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer, we'll keep the red flag flying here.'Shadow chancellor John McDonnell demanded the MPs resign their seats and fight by-elections - insisting it was the 'honourable' course of action after Mr Corbyn's manifesto helped them increase their majorities in 2017.One of the seven MPs to quit the party today is Jewish MP Luciana Berger (pictured today at the launch). She branded her former party 'institutionally anti-Semitic' after enduring years of abuse for standing up to the problem inside LabourFollowing the resignations today, the President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews Marie van der Zyl said: 'Today a group of seven Labour MPs announced their decision to leave the Labour Party and sit as an independent group in Parliament.'In a searing indictment of the Labour leadership both Luciana Berger MP and Mike Gapes MP accused the party of being institutionally anti-Semitic.'In the light of the horrific abuse aimed at Jewish MPs, we stand in solidarity with all those who have been targeted.'Labour has failed to deal with anti-Semitism since the Jewish Community's Enough is Enough demonstration called on the Labour leadership to act against this racism.'This is a moment of great shame for the Labour Party and a tragedy for the thousands of Jews who have supported the Party for generations.'At today's press conference, Ms Berger said: 'For my part, I have become embarrassed and ashamed to remain in the Labour Party.'I have not changed. The core values of equality for all, opportunity for all, anti-racism against all and social justice - the values which I hold really dear and which led me to join the Labour Party as a student almost 20 years ago - remain who I am.'And yet these values have been consistently and constantly violated, undermined and attacked, as the Labour Party today declines to my constituents and our country before party interests.'I cannot remain in a party which I have come to the sickening conclusion is institutionally anti-Semitic.'Another of the group Mike Gapes, a former chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, told the press conference: 'I am sickened that the Labour Party is now a racist, anti-Semitic party.'
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