Labour ‘within TOUCHING DISTANCE’ of Downing Street claims Jeremy Corbyn | Politics | News – UK

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The leader yesterday began a series of visits to key target seats north of the border as he was dogged by accusations of anti-Semitism.

Mr Corbyn condemned former Scot MP Jim Sheridan who was suspended for allegedly claiming “the Jewish community” was working with “Blairite plotters” to undermine the leadership.

Speaking at bus firm in Falkirk Mr Corbyn insisted Labour “take action against anyone who behaves in an anti-Semitic way.”

But the veteran Left-winger also faced fresh scrutiny over his dealings with Palestinian terror group Hamas.

This weekend, it emerged that Mr Sheridan was being probe over now deleted social media posts about the Jewish community.

The firebrand ex-MP lost his seat in 2015 and is now a Renfrewshire councillor.

Mr Corbyn said: “It’s completely wrong what he said.

“He did withdraw it later on, he has been suspended from membership, there will be an independent investigation – independent of me that is – so I can’t comment any further.

“We do not tolerate anti-Semitism in any form, in our party or anywhere in our society.”

Mr Corbyn is under growing pressure to adopt the internationally recognised definition of anti-Semitism as set out by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

He has also faced criticism over a 2014 visit to the Palestinian Martyrs Cemetery in Tunisia.

Yesterday he said he could not remember having dinner with Hamas chief Khaled Mashal in Gaza in 2010 despite reports of him recounting such a meeting in a column for the Morning Star newspaper.

He said: “A takeaway dinner? I don’t remember any takeaway dinners.

“I have met many people from many aspects of the Palestinian cause as a way of bringing about dialogue, as a way of bringing about peace.”

Scottish Tory deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said Labour risks turning back on Scotland’s Jewish community “for good” unless Mr Corbyn tackles the issue to accept in full the IHRA definition.

Mr Carlaw said: “It’s not a plot. Instead, Mr Corbyn’s appalling lack of leadership on this matter, in the face of clear anti-Semitism within Labour’s ranks, is being called out.”

Labour gained six seats north of the border in last year’s snap general election after plummeting to just one Scottish MP in 2015.

Mr Corbyn is expected to claim today that another poll is looming because of the Tories’ handling of Brexit.

Mr Corbyn will say: “We are within touching distance of a Labour government that works for the many, not the few. Make no mistake, we are ready to fight and win the next general election.”

He will add: “It will be Scottish voters who kick the Tories out of Downing Street when the time comes – and the whole of the UK will benefit from a Labour government that ends austerity and invests in our people and public services.”

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