Labour Party activists arrested in anti-semitism probe

THREE former Labour members have been arrested as part of an investigation into allegations of anti-semitism in the Party.

Scotland Yard made the arrests in London, Birmingham and Tunbridge Wells, in Kent, after the Met Commissioner, Cressida Dick, was handed a dossier of material containing allegedly racist comments that had been posted on social media by Labour supporters. They were all arrested on suspicion of publishing or distributing material likely to stir up racial hatred.

Among those arrested was Roy Smart, who had been due to represent Labour in the St James’ ward on Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in last May’s local elections.

But he was dropped a month before the elections over allegations he had posted a Holocaust denial link on Facebook. Another of those arrested in the raids, was 73-year-old Patricia Sheerinrichman, who is a member of the Jewish Voices for Labour group.

The third arrest, which took place on March 7, was of a party activist from Birmingham.

Scotland Yard launched a criminal investigation into allegations of antisemitism in November after the radio station LBC obtained a leaked Labour Party dossier with details of allegations against its members.

The dossier was understood to include details of 45 cases, including one that allegedly read: “We shall rid the Jews who are a cancer on us all.”

The dossier was handed to Ms Dick in September last year when she appeared as a guest on LBC’S Nick Ferrari show.

It is understood that disciplinary action was taken by Labour against the three individuals and none of them are members of the party any longer.

In a statement, Scotland Yard said the contents of the dossier had been examined by specialist officers and the three individuals arrested were interviewed under caution before being released under investigation.

A Labour Party spokesman said: “We welcome the police investigating these individuals’ alleged crimes.”

The arrests mark the latest stage in a long-running controversy over antisemitism among Labour supporters.

Leader Jeremy Corbyn has told general secretary Jennie Formby to make rooting the prejudice out her number one priority. However, Jewish groups have accused the party of failing to take action quickly enough.

In a joint statement, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Community Security Trust and the Jewish Leadership Council said: “It is highly significant that the Metropolitan Police have now made three arrests in connection with Labour’s anti-semitism problem.

“We await the outcome of the investigations, but ask why Labour had not itself alerted the police.”