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Labour MPs vote on binding antisemitism rules as Jeremy Corbyn faces backlash over free speech clause

Proposed and seconded by Jewish Labour MPs, the vote may see the IHRA's antisemitism definition and examples all adopted.

Jeremy Corbyn doorstepped on 05/09
Image: Jeremy Corbyn faces a backlash over his proposed statement
By Aubrey Allegretti, political reporter
Labour MPs are set to vote on binding the international definition of antisemitism closer to the party, amid a backlash against party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
They will be balloted on whether to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition and 11 examples of antisemitism in full.
It comes after Labour's ruling body approved the change to its code of conduct, to help investigate, suspend and expel members accused of discriminating against Jewish people.
Mr Corbyn faced the wrath of some groups for trying to add a statement saying it is not anti-Semitic to "describe Israel, its policies or the circumstances around its foundation as racist".
Activists outside a meeting of the Labour National Executive Committee in London
Image: Labour's NEC voted to adopt the IHRA definition and examples in full
Instead, a "free speech" clause was added to the code to ensure it "will not in any way undermine freedom of expression on Israel or the rights of Palestinians".
The vote by Labour MPs was called weeks before, and if passed would strengthen the party's stance against claims it is failing to tackle antisemitism.
Despite the move to end an issue that has dogged Labour all summer, Mr Corbyn's statement sparked anger from some.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Labour MP Margaret Hodge arrives to attend a press conference held by former shadow business secretary Angela Eagle in which Eagle announced her intention to challenge Jeremy Corbyn for leadership pf the Labour Party, on July 11, 2016 in London, England. Mr Corbyn has faced numerous frontbench resignations, but has said he would not betray the party members, who elected him last year, by standing down. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
Image: Dame Margaret Hodge accused Jeremy Corbyn of making an 'unnecessary qualification'
The Labour Against Antisemitism campaign said it "appeared to be about protecting the freedom of racists to present vile views".
Dame Margaret Hodge added change's to Labour's code amounted to "two steps forward, one step back", asking: "Why dilute the welcome adoption in full of the IHRA definition of antisemitism with an unnecessary qualification?"
After Mr Corbyn's statement was withdrawn, a source told Sky News: "Team JC climbed down completely. The statement he proposed got completely scrapped."
Baroness Chakrabarti, Labour's shadow attorney general and the author of a 2016 report on antisemitism, said the statement was "only an exposition of the IHRA definition and examples themselves".
Shami Chakrabarti
Image: Shami Chakrabarti said the Labour leader was offering 'reassurance'
She said: "There are great supporters of the Israeli state, there are leading Jewish commentators who have been trying to say to us as a Labour party for months that you can except this definition and all of its examples and still be a vociferous critic of Israel.
"Jeremy was just making that reassurance around the table."

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