- Starmer takes “decisive action”
- Labour withdraws Ali’s support
- By-election challenge intensifies
Sir Keir Starmer has maintained that he took “decisive action” in response to comments made by Azhar Ali, a candidate for the Rochdale by-election, about Israel and the Jewish people.
Labour faced criticism for initially supporting Mr. Ali after it emerged he had claimed Israel “allowed” the Hamas attacks on October 7.
The party withdrew its support for him on Monday, following the revelation of further comments.
The Labour Party leader described the decision as “tough” but “necessary.”
Speaking in Wellingborough, Sir Keir said, “Yesterday, additional information came to light that required decisive action; as a result, I took that action.
Withdrawing support for a Labour candidate in the middle of a by-election is no small matter.
He added, “However, I am serious when I say the Labour Party has changed under my leadership.”
Mr. Ali will still appear as the Labour candidate on the ballot for the February 29 by-election, as it is now past the deadline for removing him under electoral law.
It is understood that he has been suspended from the party pending an investigation.
Over the weekend, Mr. Ali apologised for comments he made during a meeting with local party members and councillors, in which he suggested that Israel had “allowed” the Hamas attacks as a pretext for an invasion of Gaza.
Labour initially backed his candidacy because he apologised and retracted his statements.
After more comments, the party withdrew its support for Mr. Ali on Monday evening.
The Labour Party’s handling of allegations of bullying and antisemitism was overseen by Martin Forde, who called the management of the situation “pretty shambolic” and said it would have been “sensible” to withdraw support for Mr. Ali when his comments first emerged.
The senior barrister noted that some MPs on the left feel disciplinary actions against them are processed more slowly than for those in the “right faction of the party,” who are allegedly dealt with more leniently or swiftly.
Responding to Mr. Forde’s comments, Sir Keir made a clear statement. He has “ruthlessly” changed the Labour Party since promising to root out antisemitism upon becoming leader.
He stated that it makes no difference to him where someone sits within the Labour Party.
Lord Mann, a former Labour MP and now the government’s independent adviser on antisemitism, backed Sir Keir.
He said, “I think it’s quite a bold move, effectively to risk losing a parliamentary seat.”
“At the moment, I think the Jewish community will take considerable comfort from the fact that Sir Keir Starmer has shown he’s prepared to take that action.”
However, the Conservatives have accused Sir Keir of acting only due to media pressure.
Previously, Housing Minister Lee Rowley called the situation a “total mess.”
He said Azhar Ali didn’t just make some of these comments in private to a few people in a corner.
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Some of the remarks that came to light, requiring media attention, were made at Labour Party meetings.
Asked about investigating others present at the meeting where Mr. Ali’s alleged comments were recorded, Sir Keir said something important. “Any allegation that needs to be investigated will be investigated.”
It is highly unlikely that Mr. Ali, who was selected to contest the seat following the death of Sir Tony Lloyd, will be chosen by Labour to stand in this year’s general election, in light of the party’s decision to withdraw support from him.
This complicates the February 29 Rochdale by-election, where Labour enjoys a majority of nearly 9,000.
Also running is former Labour MP Simon Danczuk, now a Reform Party candidate. Workers Party of Britain candidate George Galloway, who has campaigned against Labour’s stance on Gaza, is also in the race.
