skynewspolitics--2020-10-29--Corbyn says Labour antisemitism complaints 'overstated' as party found to have broken law

Jeremy Corbyn 's future in the Labour Party is in question after the former leader reacted to a damning report into antisemitism by saying complaints made during his tenure were `` overstated '' .
The Labour Party was found to have broken the law in its failure to handle antisemitism complaints and there were `` serious failings '' by its leadership , the Equality and Human Rights Commission ( EHRC ) has concluded .
An investigation into antisemitism in the party by the commission found it responsible for `` unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination '' - and said there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Labour broke the law in three areas : • Failure to provide adequate training to those handling antisemitism complaints • Harassment of those who complained An unlawful act notice has been served to the party following the report 's findings , which means the commission can recommend any necessary action to avoid the actions being repeated or continued .
The investigation found evidence of 23 instances of `` political interference '' by Mr Corbyn 's office and others in the antisemitism complaints process , out of the 70 files the watchdog looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party leader during the period investigated and was dogged by questions about antisemitism throughout his tenure , accepted the report but said the scale of the problem was not as large as stated .
He said Jewish Labour members were right to expect the party to deal with antisemitism , and that `` I regret that it took longer to deliver that change than it should '' .
But , he added : `` The scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked current leader Sir Keir Starmer if this meant Mr Corbyn should remain a Labour member .
He did not reply directly , but said : `` Those that deny there 's a problem are part of the problem .
Those that pretend it 's exaggerated or factional are part of the problem . ''
Labour has until 10 December to draft an action plan to implement the report 's recommendations , which is legally enforceable by the courts if not fulfilled .
EHRC lead investigator Alasdair Henderson said the blame can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that `` it went beyond the role of Jeremy Corbyn '' , but he acknowledged the period they looked at `` was of course during the time when Jeremy Corbyn was leader '' .
`` And as leader of the party , and with evidence of political interference from within his office , he does have a responsibility ultimately for those failings , '' he said .
Mr Henderson added that there were `` two specific unlawful acts '' and 18 more in the sample given to the EHRC , adding `` that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The watchdog highlighted the actions of former London mayor Ken Livingstone , who referenced social media posts by MP Naz Shah , including a graphic suggesting Israel should be relocated to the US with the caption `` problem solved '' , and a post in which she appeared to liken Israeli policies to Hitler 's .
Rossendale Labour councillor Pam Bromley was also highlighted for her Facebook post saying `` fake accusations of antisemitism to undermine Labour just are n't working '' , and another post saying Mr Corbyn has failed `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Labour Party '' .
Caroline Waters , interim chair of the EHRC , said the failures were `` inexcusable and appeared to be a result of a lack of willingness to tackle antisemitism rather than an inability to do so '' .
The report has been welcomed by the Campaign Against Antisemitism , which initially complained to the EHRC about antisemitism within the Labour Party , with its chair , Gideon Falter , calling it `` ground-breaking '' .
`` It is the first ever finding by the EHRC of unlawful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party 's former leadership , '' he said .
`` The EHRC 's report utterly vindicates Britain 's Jews who were accused of lying and exaggerating , acting as agents of another country and using their religion to 'smear ' the Labour Party . ''
He added that the report shows under Mr Corbyn 's leadership `` the Labour Party became institutionally antisemitic '' and said it `` drove almost half of British Jews to consider leaving the country '' .
The current Labour leader , who served in Mr Corbyn 's shadow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional '' and said its conclusions are `` clear and stark '' , adding that he will implement all recommendations `` in full '' .
Sir Keir said he found the report `` hard to read '' and said it was `` a day of shame for the Labour Party '' .
`` I am truly sorry for all the pain and grief that has been caused to Jewish people , JLM , to the people driven out of our party , and those driven out of parliament - Louise Ellman and Luciana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can promise you this , I will act .
Never again will Labour let you down , never again will we fail to tackle antisemitism .
`` And if - after all the pain , all the grief , and all the evidence in this report , there are still those who think there 's no problem with antisemitism in the Labour Party .
That it 's all exaggerated , or a factional attack .
`` Then , frankly , you are part of the problem too .
And you should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He said a zero tolerance policy to antisemitism `` really does mean that '' under his leadership .

Jeremy Corbyn's future in the Labour Party is in question after the former leader reacted to a damning report into antisemitism by saying complaints made during his tenure were "overstated".
The Labour Party was found to have broken the law in its failure to handle antisemitism complaints and there were "serious failings" by its leadership, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has concluded.
An investigation into antisemitism in the party by the commission found it responsible for "unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination" - and said there was political interference into complaints.
It said Labour broke the law in three areas:
Political interference in antisemitism complaints
Failure to provide adequate training to those handling antisemitism complaints
Harassment of those who complained
Image: Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves his home ahead of the report's publication and (below) during the final PMQs of his tenure
An unlawful act notice has been served to the party following the report's findings, which means the commission can recommend any necessary action to avoid the actions being repeated or continued.
The investigation found evidence of 23 instances of "political interference" by Mr Corbyn's office and others in the antisemitism complaints process, out of the 70 files the watchdog looked at.
Mr Corbyn, who was party leader during the period investigated and was dogged by questions about antisemitism throughout his tenure, accepted the report but said the scale of the problem was not as large as stated.
He said Jewish Labour members were right to expect the party to deal with antisemitism, and that "I regret that it took longer to deliver that change than it should".
But, he added: "The scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the party."
Advertisement
Sky's Kate McCann asked current leader Sir Keir Starmer if this meant Mr Corbyn should remain a Labour member.
He did not reply directly, but said: "Those that deny there's a problem are part of the problem. Those that pretend it's exaggerated or factional are part of the problem."
Image: Luciana Berger quit Labour over antisemitism directed at her
Labour has until 10 December to draft an action plan to implement the report's recommendations, which is legally enforceable by the courts if not fulfilled.
EHRC lead investigator Alasdair Henderson said the blame cannot be placed on one person, adding that "it went beyond the role of Jeremy Corbyn", but he acknowledged the period they looked at "was of course during the time when Jeremy Corbyn was leader".
"And as leader of the party, and with evidence of political interference from within his office, he does have a responsibility ultimately for those failings," he said.
Mr Henderson added that there were "two specific unlawful acts" and 18 more in the sample given to the EHRC, adding "that's the tip of the iceberg".
Image: Labour has until 10 December to file an action plan to act upon the report
The watchdog highlighted the actions of former London mayor Ken Livingstone, who referenced social media posts by MP Naz Shah, including a graphic suggesting Israel should be relocated to the US with the caption "problem solved", and a post in which she appeared to liken Israeli policies to Hitler's.
Mr Livingstone repeatedly denied they were antisemitic.
Rossendale Labour councillor Pam Bromley was also highlighted for her Facebook post saying "fake accusations of antisemitism to undermine Labour just aren't working", and another post saying Mr Corbyn has failed "to repel the fake accusations of antisemitism in the Labour Party".
Caroline Waters, interim chair of the EHRC, said the failures were "inexcusable and appeared to be a result of a lack of willingness to tackle antisemitism rather than an inability to do so".
Image: Louise Ellman also quit the party over antisemitism
The report has been welcomed by the Campaign Against Antisemitism, which initially complained to the EHRC about antisemitism within the Labour Party, with its chair, Gideon Falter, calling it "ground-breaking".
"It is the first ever finding by the EHRC of unlawful acts. It heavily criticises the Labour Party's former leadership," he said.
"The EHRC's report utterly vindicates Britain's Jews who were accused of lying and exaggerating, acting as agents of another country and using their religion to 'smear' the Labour Party."
He added that the report shows under Mr Corbyn's leadership "the Labour Party became institutionally antisemitic" and said it "drove almost half of British Jews to consider leaving the country".
Image: Sir Keir Starmer said he will implement all of the report's recommendations
The current Labour leader, who served in Mr Corbyn's shadow cabinet, called the report "thoroughly professional" and said its conclusions are "clear and stark", adding that he will implement all recommendations "in full".
Sir Keir said he found the report "hard to read" and said it was "a day of shame for the Labour Party".
"I am truly sorry for all the pain and grief that has been caused to Jewish people, JLM, to the people driven out of our party, and those driven out of parliament - Louise Ellman and Luciana Berger, we are sorry.
"I can promise you this, I will act. Never again will Labour let you down, never again will we fail to tackle antisemitism.
"And if - after all the pain, all the grief, and all the evidence in this report, there are still those who think there's no problem with antisemitism in the Labour Party. That it's all exaggerated, or a factional attack.
"Then, frankly, you are part of the problem too. And you should be nowhere near the Labour Party either."
He said a zero tolerance policy to antisemitism "really does mean that" under his leadership.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-29--Labour MP vows to 'vigorously' contest housing fraud charges

An Labour MP charged with fraud says she will `` vigorously '' contest the allegations made against her .
Apsana Begum has been hit with three separate counts of `` dishonestly failing to disclose information in order to make gains for herself or another , or expose another to a loss '' .
The trio of charges , which the 30-year-old has described as `` malicious and false '' , are dated between 18 January 2013 and 31 March 2016 - long before she became MP for Poplar and Limehouse .
She won the east London seat in last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority .
According to a court official , the charges allege that Ms Begum failed to tell the Labour-run Tower Hamlets Council that she was `` no longer living in overcrowded conditions '' .
A Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson said : `` The council takes housing fraud very seriously .
`` It would be inappropriate for us to comment on any specific allegations , but the public can be confident that any concerns are investigated by an experienced team , in line with our procedures . ''
Ms Begum sits on the Commons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted those from ethnic minority backgrounds .
More recently , the MP , of the Isle of Dogs in east London , voted in favour of Labour 's motion to extend free school meals over holiday time until Easter 2021 .
Ms Begum is due to appear at Thames Magistrates ' Court on 10 December .

A Labour MP charged with fraud says she will "vigorously" contest the allegations made against her.
Apsana Begum has been hit with three separate counts of "dishonestly failing to disclose information in order to make gains for herself or another, or expose another to a loss".
The trio of charges, which the 30-year-old has described as "malicious and false", are dated between 18 January 2013 and 31 March 2016 - long before she became MP for Poplar and Limehouse.
She won the east London seat in last year's December general election with a 28,904 majority.
Image: Ms Begum says she will 'vigorously' defend herself against the three charges
According to a court official, the charges allege that Ms Begum failed to tell the Labour-run Tower Hamlets Council that she was "no longer living in overcrowded conditions".
A Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson said: "The council takes housing fraud very seriously.
"It would be inappropriate for us to comment on any specific allegations, but the public can be confident that any concerns are investigated by an experienced team, in line with our procedures."
Ms Begum sits on the Commons education committee and has spoken in parliament about how COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted those from ethnic minority backgrounds.
More recently, the MP, of the Isle of Dogs in east London, voted in favour of Labour's motion to extend free school meals over holiday time until Easter 2021.
Advertisement
Ms Begum is due to appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on 10 December.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-29--Circuit breaker lockdown is not the right approach, minister says

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has acknowledged that coronavirus rates are in a `` bad place in all parts of the country '' but has said the government does not want a second national lockdown .
He said the government is taking advice from the scientists `` on an almost daily basis '' but that there is no plan to move on from the localised tiered approach .
Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world It comes as discussions are being held with West Yorkshire and Leeds over a possible move up to Tier 3 as cases there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London have said the existing measures to control the virus in England are n't working , with an estimated 96,000 people a day being infected .
But Mr Jenrick told Kay Burley `` it is our very firm view '' that a national lockdown , or `` circuit-breaker '' , is not the right measure .
He told Sky News : `` We do n't want to create a second national lockdown .
We know that has some effect on bearing down on the virus but we also know it 's immensely disruptive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and livelihoods and broader health and wellbeing , so we will do everything we can to avoid that situation . ''
Mr Jenrick said the new lockdowns in other European nations , including France , will have `` long-term scarring effects '' on people .
He said : `` At the moment it is our very firm view that that is not the right approach for the country , it is not a short-term measure , it is likely to be for a number of weeks .
`` If it succeeded it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - you ca n't have a stop-start country where businesses are closing , people are losing their jobs , then they are having to restart again , the harm to people 's mental health and broader wellbeing , I think , would be immense . ''
Meanwhile , the Government is reportedly considering the rapid unrolling of saliva-based coronavirus kits in a bid to test up to 10 % of England 's population every week .
According to the Guardian , NHS Test and Trace is stepping up its efforts to meet the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Operation Moonshot plans announced last month .
The testing programme would focus on regions under the highest level of restrictions , and would mark a significant increase on current capacity of 2.1 million conventional nose and throat swabs a week .
The leaked letter comes as the latest Test and Trace figures are due to be released later , a source of criticism for the government in recent weeks .
Last week 's figures revealed just 59.6 % of the proportion of close contacts of people who tested positive were reached - the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has acknowledged that coronavirus rates are in a "bad place in all parts of the country" but has said the government does not want a second national lockdown.
He said the government is taking advice from the scientists "on an almost daily basis" but that there is no plan to move on from the localised tiered approach.
Image: Mr Jenrick said a lockdown would further harm the economy
Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world
It comes as discussions are being held with West Yorkshire and Leeds over a possible move up to Tier 3 as cases there rise further.
Researchers from Imperial College London have said the existing measures to control the virus in England aren't working, with an estimated 96,000 people a day being infected.
But Mr Jenrick told Kay Burley "it is our very firm view" that a national lockdown, or "circuit-breaker", is not the right measure.
He told Sky News: "We don't want to create a second national lockdown. We know that has some effect on bearing down on the virus but we also know it's immensely disruptive in other regards to people's lives and livelihoods and broader health and wellbeing, so we will do everything we can to avoid that situation."
Mr Jenrick said the new lockdowns in other European nations, including France, will have "long-term scarring effects" on people.
Image: French President Emmanuel Macron announced the new measures to begin on Friday
He said: "At the moment it is our very firm view that that is not the right approach for the country, it is not a short-term measure, it is likely to be for a number of weeks.
Advertisement
"If it succeeded it is likely then needed to be repeated regularly - you can't have a stop-start country where businesses are closing, people are losing their jobs, then they are having to restart again, the harm to people's mental health and broader wellbeing, I think, would be immense."
Meanwhile, the Government is reportedly considering the rapid unrolling of saliva-based coronavirus kits in a bid to test up to 10% of England's population every week.
According to the Guardian, NHS Test and Trace is stepping up its efforts to meet the targets set out in the government's Operation Moonshot plans announced last month.
The testing programme would focus on regions under the highest level of restrictions, and would mark a significant increase on current capacity of 2.1 million conventional nose and throat swabs a week.
The leaked letter comes as the latest Test and Trace figures are due to be released later, a source of criticism for the government in recent weeks.
Last week's figures revealed just 59.6% of the proportion of close contacts of people who tested positive were reached - the lowest weekly percentage since the programme began.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-29--Jeremy Corbyn suspended from Labour Party over response to antisemitism report

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been suspended from the party and has had the whip removed .
A party spokesman said it was `` in light of his comments made today and his failure to retract them subsequently '' .
Mr Corbyn had reacted to a damning report into antisemitism by saying that the number of complaints made during his tenure were `` dramatically overstated for political reasons '' .
The Islington North MP , who stepped down as party leader after last December 's general election defeat , then gave an interview to Sky News in which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` I 'm not part of the problem . ''
Mr Corbyn also said he would not quit Labour , adding that he is `` proud to be a member of the Labour Party '' , which he joined when he was 16 , and said : `` I 've fought racism all my life , and I 'll fight racism for the rest of my life . ''
He has vowed to `` strongly contest the political intervention to suspend me '' .
Mr Corbyn said in his earlier statement : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who deny there has been an antisemitism problem in the Labour Party are wrong .
`` It 's also undeniable that a false impression has been created of the number of members accused of antisemitism , as polling shows : that is what has been overstated , not the seriousness of the problem .
`` I will continue to support a zero tolerance policy towards all forms of racism .
And I urge all members to stay calm and focused - while this problem is resolved amicably , as I believe it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is further impoverishing the poorest in society . ''
Current Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was `` very disappointed '' in Mr Corbyn 's statement and `` appropriate action has been taken which I fully support '' .
He added : `` I made it very clear that we wo n't tolerate antisemitism or the denial of antisemitism .
`` I want to unite the Labour Party , bring our factions together as a united party but I made a very clear commitment to root out antisemitism and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commitment .
`` We can not say zero tolerance and then turn a blind eye . ''
After Mr Corbyn learned of his suspension , he said he was `` disappointed '' and declined to retract his earlier statements .
`` I 've explained what I said , I 've explained what I meant by it , '' he insisted .
`` I am not diminishing or minimising the issue of antisemitism . ''
The investigation into antisemitism by the Equality and Human Rights Commission ( EHRC ) found Labour had broken the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of antisemitism in the period when Mr Corbyn was leader .
It said there were `` serious failings '' by its leadership , political interference by Mr Corbyn 's office into complaints , and found the party responsible for `` unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination '' .
Sir Keir said in his initial reaction to the report : `` If - after all the pain , all the grief , and all the evidence in this report - there are still those who think there 's no problem with antisemitism in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exaggerated , or a factional attack - then , frankly , you are part of the problem too .
`` And you should be nowhere near the Labour Party , either . ''
When asked by Sky 's Kate McCann if that meant Mr Corbyn should no longer be a member of the party , Sir Keir repeated his words and said he would look at what his predecessor had said .
An hour later , the party said it had suspended Mr Corbyn .
He has also had the whip removed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Labour within parliament , so he can remain an MP but is now an independent .
Sky News ' political correspondent Joe Pike said he understands Mr Corbyn 's reaction to being suspended was `` complete shock '' , and that he said : `` What ? ''
Labour MP Harriet Harman , chair of the human rights committee , tweeted : `` This is the right thing to do .
`` If you say that AS [ antisemitism ] exaggerated for factional reasons you minimise it and are , as Keir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
But other allies of Mr Corbyn have resisted the move and called for the suspension to be overturned .
John McDonnell , the former leader 's shadow chancellor , urged party members to `` stay calm '' and `` all call upon the leadership to lift this suspension '' .
He tweeted : `` On the day we should all be moving forward & taking all steps to fight antisemitism , the suspension of Jeremy Corbyn is profoundly wrong .
In interests of party unity let 's find a way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unite union boss Len McCluskey said : `` This was a day for our party to move forward as one to defeat the evil of antisemitism .
`` However , the decision to suspend Jeremy Corbyn has threatened that opportunity . ''
He added it was `` an act of grave injustice which , if not reversed , will create chaos within the party and in doing so compromise Labour 's chances of a general election victory '' , warning : `` A split party will be doomed to defeat . ''

Jeremy Corbyn has been suspended from Labour just six months after stepping down as leader, threatening to ignite internal civil war.
A party spokesman said it was because of his reaction to a bombshell report into how complaints of antisemitism were handled.
Some MPs have welcomed the move as necessary, saying it shows Labour has changed and will take swift action against racism.
Image: The EHRC said there were 'serious failings' by the party leadership
But it has also sparked a rupture, with those who remain loyal to Mr Corbyn vowing to challenge the decision and warning a divided party will lose the next election.
Mr Corbyn now faces an investigation, but has refused to retract the comments that sparked such furore among senior party figures.
The row erupted when Mr Corbyn gave his reaction to a damning report from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, which has been running an investigation for over a year.
The watchdog found Labour had broken the law with its handling of antisemitism complaints during the period when Mr Corbyn was in charge.
It said there were "serious failings" by the party leadership, found evidence of political interference by Mr Corbyn's office into complaints, and judged the party responsible for "unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination".
Mr Corbyn reacted by saying he tried to make the process for investigating and acting on complaints quicker, but admitted: "I regret that it took longer to deliver that change than it should."
Advertisement
He also added that "the scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons".
And then doubling down on his own innocence, Mr Corbyn told Sky News in an interview: "I'm not part of the problem."
Following the statement, a Labour spokesman said he was being suspended and having the whip withdrawn - meaning he will not represent the party in parliament - "in light of his comments made today and his failure to retract them subsequently".
The scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the party, as well as by much of the media.
A surprised Mr Corbyn is said to have been told about the news by a TV crew and exclaimed: "What?"
He then released another statement, vowing to "strongly contest the political intervention to suspend me".
"I've made absolutely clear those who deny there has been an antisemitism problem in the Labour Party are wrong," the Islington North MP added.
Leader Sir Keir Starmer said the direction to suspend Mr Corbyn was not given by him but taken by the party.
But he added it was "appropriate action" that "I fully support" and added: "I made it very clear... the Labour Party will not tolerate antisemitism or the denial of antisemitism."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:42 Starmer: 'I'm very disappointed in Corbyn'
Mr Corbyn's old shadow cabinet and union allies sprang to his defence, with former shadow chancellor John McDonnell urging party members to "stay calm" and "all call upon the leadership to lift this suspension".
Diane Abbott, who was shadow home secretary until the spring, also tweeted: "I oppose the decision to suspend Jeremy Corbyn from the Labour Party and will work for his reinstatement."
And Len McCluskey, the head of the Unite union, called it "an act of grave injustice which, if not reversed, will create chaos within the party and in doing so compromise Labour's chances of a general election victory", warning: "A split party will be doomed to defeat."
Image: A Labour MP said the party was now clear that 'antisemitism can never be tolerated'
But other Labour figures welcomed the decision, with shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy saying it was "the right thing to do".
Labour MP Harriet Harman, chair of the human rights committee, tweeted: "This is the right thing to do."
And another backbencher, Margaret Hodge, said: "Labour is finally saying enough is enough, antisemitism can never be tolerated in our party. Now we can finally move on."
The Conservatives claim Sir Keir has more to answer for, with chair Amanda Milling saying he "loyally served in Corbyn's shadow cabinet as antisemitism ripped through the Labour Party".


skynewspolitics--2020-10-29--Keir Starmer has triggered a civil war with the left

Days after being involved in a minor road accident which left his car dented and scratched and a Deliveroo cyclist with an injured arm , Sir Keir Starmer is on collision course with the Labour left .
But while his car can be repaired and the cyclist 's arm will hopefully heal speedily , the Labour leader is now facing a lengthy and bloody battle with his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn and his left-wing allies .
Did Sir Keir plan this outcome all along ?
Was he looking for an opportunity to take on the left , like Neil Kinnock crushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Labour Party constitution ?
Well , not exactly .
But it 's claimed Sir Keir had decided in advance on his course of action if Mr Corbyn refused in his response to the equalities watchdog report to show remorse and apologise for the antisemitism debacle .
For his part , Mr Corbyn was certainly taken by surprise by the decision to suspend him from the party and withdraw the whip .
`` What ! ''
he exclaimed when told the news by a TV crew shortly after recording a TV interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his pro-Corbyn leadership rival Rebecca Long-Bailey from the shadow cabinet when she refused to retract and apologise for backing an antisemitic tweet by the actress Maxine Peake .
Many in the party believe the Labour leader and his new general secretary , former Blair aide David Evans , planned to follow the same strategy this time : That the offence was the defiance and lack of apology , not the original wrong-doing .
`` I 'm sure they had their finger on the 'send ' button , '' one insider said waspishly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Corbyn was holed up in talks with the same inner circle that served him as leader : Wife Laura Alvarez , gatekeeper Karie Murphy and spin doctors Seamus Milne and James Schneider .
As one of them put it : `` The old band was put back together for this moment . ''
It is claimed that at one point the group held a `` council of war '' , joined on Zoom by Mr Corbyn 's most senior ally in Parliament , John McDonnell , along with representatives of the Unite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Labour Party Democracy .
Although Mr Corbyn declared publicly in his second TV interview of the day that he would `` strongly contest the political intervention to suspend me '' , the strategy agreed by his inner circle - on the advice of veteran allies Mr McDonnell and Unite 's Len McCluskey - was to stay calm , for now .
In other words , do n't get mad , get even .
Some of the younger members of the pro-Corbyn Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs , from the 2019 intake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ row - for now - by resigning the party whip in protest against Mr Corbyn 's suspension .
But several hours after the suspension was announced , Mr McCluskey - the biggest trade union beast in the Labour jungle under Mr Corbyn 's leadership - finally roared , condemning it as `` an act of grave injustice '' .
Mr McCluskey claimed if the suspension was n't reversed it would create chaos in the party and compromise Labour 's chances of a general election victory , declaring : `` A split party will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too , though , appealed to Labour members angered by the suspension not to leave the party , though that plea came too late to prevent some resignations .
Numbers matter in politics , after all .
It was Lyndon Johnson who said the first rule in politics was to be able to count .
And at some point in the future the left may need members in large numbers to save Mr Corbyn , in a vote at the Labour conference , for instance .
From Mr Corbyn 's enemies , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had me expelled from the Labour Party for objecting to thuggery and antisemitism , '' Frank Field tweeted .
`` Now he knows what it 's like to have the party machine which one 's contributed to for decades to sling one out . ''
Although Mr Corbyn said in his second TV interview of the day that he had yet to receive any official communication , it is likely that by now he will have received an email asking him a series of questions to respond to .
After that , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be considered by the national executive 's disputes panel , which will report to the full executive , which in turn will then decide whether to re-admit him or - potentially - expel him .
If it 's the latter , the left wo n't remain calm any longer .
All hell will break loose and the battle could very well end up in court .
The Corbyn inner circle believes Sir Keir , the former Director of Public Prosecutions , is in `` big trouble '' and on `` dodgy legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witness to Sir Keir 's road accident claimed the Labour leader had been attempting a U-turn .
Not true , a Labour Party source insisted .
And Sir Keir is adamant there will be no U-turn on antisemitism - or his battle with the left over Mr Corbyn - either .

Days after being involved in a minor road accident which left his car dented and scratched and a Deliveroo cyclist with an injured arm, Sir Keir Starmer is on collision course with the Labour left.
But while his car can be repaired and the cyclist's arm will hopefully heal speedily, the Labour leader is now facing a lengthy and bloody battle with his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn and his left-wing allies.
Did Sir Keir plan this outcome all along? Was he looking for an opportunity to take on the left, like Neil Kinnock crushing Militant or Tony Blair abolishing Clause 4 of the Labour Party constitution?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:41 'Are you part of the problem, Mr Corbyn?'
Well, not exactly. But it's claimed Sir Keir had decided in advance on his course of action if Mr Corbyn refused in his response to the equalities watchdog report to show remorse and apologise for the antisemitism debacle.
For his part, Mr Corbyn was certainly taken by surprise by the decision to suspend him from the party and withdraw the whip.
"What!" he exclaimed when told the news by a TV crew shortly after recording a TV interview.
Earlier this year Sir Keir sacked his pro-Corbyn leadership rival Rebecca Long-Bailey from the shadow cabinet when she refused to retract and apologise for backing an antisemitic tweet by the actress Maxine Peake.
Many in the party believe the Labour leader and his new general secretary, former Blair aide David Evans, planned to follow the same strategy this time: That the offence was the defiance and lack of apology, not the original wrong-doing.
"I'm sure they had their finger on the 'send' button," one insider said waspishly.
Advertisement
Image: Keir Starmer is adamant he will root out antisemitism
Throughout this day of high drama, Mr Corbyn was holed up in talks with the same inner circle that served him as leader: Wife Laura Alvarez, gatekeeper Karie Murphy and spin doctors Seamus Milne and James Schneider.
As one of them put it: "The old band was put back together for this moment."
It is claimed that at one point the group held a "council of war", joined on Zoom by Mr Corbyn's most senior ally in Parliament, John McDonnell, along with representatives of the Unite union, Momentum and the left-wing Campaign for Labour Party Democracy.
Although Mr Corbyn declared publicly in his second TV interview of the day that he would "strongly contest the political intervention to suspend me", the strategy agreed by his inner circle - on the advice of veteran allies Mr McDonnell and Unite's Len McCluskey - was to stay calm, for now.
In other words, don't get mad, get even.
Numbers matter in politics... At some point in the future, the left may need members in large numbers to save Mr Corbyn, in a vote at the Labour conference, for instance
Some of the younger members of the pro-Corbyn Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs, from the 2019 intake, were persuaded not to inflame the row - for now - by resigning the party whip in protest against Mr Corbyn's suspension.
But several hours after the suspension was announced, Mr McCluskey - the biggest trade union beast in the Labour jungle under Mr Corbyn's leadership - finally roared, condemning it as "an act of grave injustice".
Mr McCluskey claimed if the suspension wasn't reversed it would create chaos in the party and compromise Labour's chances of a general election victory, declaring: "A split party will be doomed to defeat."
He too, though, appealed to Labour members angered by the suspension not to leave the party, though that plea came too late to prevent some resignations.
Numbers matter in politics, after all. It was Lyndon Johnson who said the first rule in politics was to be able to count.
Image: The report found Labour broke the law over its handling of antisemitism issues
And at some point in the future the left may need members in large numbers to save Mr Corbyn, in a vote at the Labour conference, for instance.
From Mr Corbyn's enemies, however, there was gloating.
"Corbyn had me expelled from the Labour Party for objecting to thuggery and antisemitism," Frank Field tweeted. "Now he knows what it's like to have the party machine which one's contributed to for decades to sling one out."
Although Mr Corbyn said in his second TV interview of the day that he had yet to receive any official communication, it is likely that by now he will have received an email asking him a series of questions to respond to.
After that, the appeal process will begin and his response will be considered by the national executive's disputes panel, which will report to the full executive, which in turn will then decide whether to re-admit him or - potentially - expel him.
Image: Figures on the left are urging members to stay and not quit the party
If it's the latter, the left won't remain calm any longer. All hell will break loose and the battle could very well end up in court.
The Corbyn inner circle believes Sir Keir, the former Director of Public Prosecutions, is in "big trouble" and on "dodgy legal ground".
Earlier this week a witness to Sir Keir's road accident claimed the Labour leader had been attempting a U-turn. Not true, a Labour Party source insisted.
And Sir Keir is adamant there will be no U-turn on antisemitism - or his battle with the left over Mr Corbyn - either.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-29--Keir Starmer's suspension of Jeremy Corbyn echoes Kinnock's purge of Militant Tendency

Jeremy Corbyn has been cast into the wilderness , suspended from the party , by his successor as Labour leader , Sir Keir Starmer .
Jeremy Corbyn 's suspension came after the release of the EHRC report on antisemitism in the Labour Party Less than a year ago , Jeremy Corbyn was Labour 's candidate to be prime minister .
Now , he has been cast into the wilderness , suspended from the party , by his successor as Labour leader , Sir Keir Starmer .
The ruthless action by Sir Keir looks like the most brutal purge of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Militant Tendency in the 1980s .
Was Sir Keir hoping for Mr Corbyn 's unapologetic reaction , so that he could suspend his predecessor ?
He would no doubt dismiss that as a conspiracy theory too far .
Mr Corbyn 's crime , however , in the eyes of the former director of public prosecutions who now leads the party , was not his record on antisemitism during his tenure as Labour leader .
Instead , it was his defiant reaction to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission report , claiming the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political reasons '' .
It was his lack of remorse , his failure to apologise , his denial that he was `` part of the problem '' and claim that the antisemitism furore had been exaggerated .
Mr Corbyn 's suspension comes four years after his oldest and closest friend in politics , Ken Livingstone , was suspended from the party in April 2016 .
To this day , Mr Livingstone - a former member of the party 's national executive and , after an initial period as an independent , Labour mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cold .
If Mr Corbyn is out of the party for as long as four years , he wo n't be able to stand as Labour candidate in Islington North - or anywhere else - at the next election .
If that 's the case it will be an ignominious end to a Parliamentary career spanning almost 40 years , pursuing left-wing causes such as unilateral nuclear disarmament with vigour .
But as he demonstrated with the provocative reaction to the EHRC report that got him suspended , Mr Corbyn has served notice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight .
And even if he is forced out of Parliament , Mr Corbyn 's hard-left crusade will go on , as his hero Tony Benn 's did when he stepped down as an MP .
Before then , however , Sir Keir must prepare himself for a potentially bloody civil war with the Left .

Jeremy Corbyn has been cast into the wilderness, suspended from the party, by his successor as Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer.
Jeremy Corbyn's suspension came after the release of the EHRC report on antisemitism in the Labour Party
Less than a year ago, Jeremy Corbyn was Labour's candidate to be prime minister.
Now, he has been cast into the wilderness, suspended from the party, by his successor as Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer.
The ruthless action by Sir Keir looks like the most brutal purge of the Labour left since Neil Kinnock took on the Militant Tendency in the 1980s.
Image: Jeremy Corbyn's suspension came after the release of the EHRC report on antisemitism in the Labour Party
Was Sir Keir hoping for Mr Corbyn's unapologetic reaction, so that he could suspend his predecessor? He would no doubt dismiss that as a conspiracy theory too far.
Mr Corbyn's crime, however, in the eyes of the former director of public prosecutions who now leads the party, was not his record on antisemitism during his tenure as Labour leader.
Instead, it was his defiant reaction to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission report, claiming the issue had been "dramatically overstated for political reasons".
It was his lack of remorse, his failure to apologise, his denial that he was "part of the problem" and claim that the antisemitism furore had been exaggerated.
Mr Corbyn's suspension comes four years after his oldest and closest friend in politics, Ken Livingstone, was suspended from the party in April 2016.
To this day, Mr Livingstone - a former member of the party's national executive and, after an initial period as an independent, Labour mayor of London - remains out in the cold.
Advertisement
If Mr Corbyn is out of the party for as long as four years, he won't be able to stand as Labour candidate in Islington North - or anywhere else - at the next election.
Image: Keir Starmer's move echoes the battle between Neil Kinnock and the Militant Tendency
If that's the case it will be an ignominious end to a Parliamentary career spanning almost 40 years, pursuing left-wing causes such as unilateral nuclear disarmament with vigour.
But as he demonstrated with the provocative reaction to the EHRC report that got him suspended, Mr Corbyn has served notice that he won't go without a fight.
And even if he is forced out of Parliament, Mr Corbyn's hard-left crusade will go on, as his hero Tony Benn's did when he stepped down as an MP.
Before then, however, Sir Keir must prepare himself for a potentially bloody civil war with the Left.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-29--Supermarket chiefs demand rates reform to 'level up' UK

The bosses of three of Britain 's biggest supermarket chains have urged Rishi Sunak to use an overhaul of the business rates system to `` level up '' the economy amid pressure on the government 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic in the north of England .
Sky News has learnt that a letter signed by executives from the Co-op Group , Tesco and Wm Morrison argues that a permanent 20 % reduction in business rates would create 10,000 jobs in the retail industry and its supply chain in 50 constituencies most in need of new investment .
The letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was signed by Steve Murrells , the Co-op chief executive ; David Potts , Morrisons ' CEO ; Jason Tarry , the UK and Ireland chief of Tesco ; James Lowman , chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores ; Paddy Lillis , general secretary of the shopworkers ' union Usdaw ; and Andrew Goodacre , chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association .
According to a source in Whitehall who has seen it , it highlights a stark overlap between the constituencies most in need of levelling-up investment and those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burden .
Based on a report compiled by the political consultancy WPI Strategy , the letter underlines the importance to Boris Johnson 's administration of tackling the levelling-up agenda for the benefit of the `` red wall '' MPs who won seats from Labour at last December 's general election .
It highlights Blackpool South as `` the constituency most in need of levelling up according to this report '' and which was won by the Conservatives last year , with retail now accounting for one in every six jobs there .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for other businesses , is one of the largest local taxpayers , provides vital local services ( such as pharmacies ) , supports local charities and provides locations for local people to meet and socialise , '' it said .
`` The report shows that there are key growth opportunities across small , medium and large shops , which would benefit levelling up constituencies .
`` It highlights , however , that there is one critical barrier - business rates . ''
Mr Sunak has signalled that a consultation on business rates may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the tax burden falling on digitally generated sales .
Details of future government policy on the tax are expected next year .
High street retailers and pubs have been given a 12-month rates holiday to help them survive the COVID-19 crisis , but that has failed to prevent tens of thousands of jobs being axed by prominent chains in the last seven months .
`` The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the critical role that shops plays as an anchor for local communities , '' the letter to the chancellor said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frontline of the pandemic ensuring communities have access to supplies of food , medicines , and essential goods and supporting the economy by investing in operations , keeping hundreds of thousands of people fully employed and supporting a network of thousands of SMEs in the supply chain . ''
It goes on to say : `` The pandemic has shone a light on retail 's role as an anchor for local communities , but the evidence has been clear for many years .
`` As an industry , retail is the largest private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in constituencies in need of 'levelling up ' .
`` As other major industries have receded from towns and cities across the North and Midlands , retail has become the bedrock of these economies , providing a disproportionately high number of jobs with wages and productivity growing faster than comparable sectors . ''
The views of retail bosses responsible for hundreds of thousands of UK employees are expected to lead to further talks between the Treasury and supermarket industry in the coming months , according to insiders .

The bosses of three of Britain's biggest supermarket chains have urged Rishi Sunak to use an overhaul of the business rates system to "level up" the economy amid pressure on the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic in the north of England.
Sky News has learnt that a letter signed by executives from the Co-op Group, Tesco and Wm Morrison argues that a permanent 20% reduction in business rates would create 10,000 jobs in the retail industry and its supply chain in 50 constituencies most in need of new investment.
The letter, which was sent last week, was signed by Steve Murrells, the Co-op chief executive; David Potts, Morrisons' CEO; Jason Tarry, the UK and Ireland chief of Tesco; James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores; Paddy Lillis, general secretary of the shopworkers' union Usdaw; and Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association.
Image: Morrisons boss David Potts is among the signatories
According to a source in Whitehall who has seen it, it highlights a stark overlap between the constituencies most in need of levelling-up investment and those which bear a disproportionately heavy business rates burden.
Based on a report compiled by the political consultancy WPI Strategy, the letter underlines the importance to Boris Johnson's administration of tackling the levelling-up agenda for the benefit of the "red wall" MPs who won seats from Labour at last December's general election.
It highlights Blackpool South as "the constituency most in need of levelling up according to this report" and which was won by the Conservatives last year, with retail now accounting for one in every six jobs there.
"Beyond jobs, the sector drives footfall for other businesses, is one of the largest local taxpayers, provides vital local services (such as pharmacies), supports local charities and provides locations for local people to meet and socialise," it said.
"The report shows that there are key growth opportunities across small, medium and large shops, which would benefit levelling up constituencies.
"It highlights, however, that there is one critical barrier - business rates."
Advertisement
Image: Supermarkets have been on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis since before the spring lockdown
Mr Sunak has signalled that a consultation on business rates may result in radical reforms, with more of the tax burden falling on digitally generated sales.
Details of future government policy on the tax are expected next year.
High street retailers and pubs have been given a 12-month rates holiday to help them survive the COVID-19 crisis, but that has failed to prevent tens of thousands of jobs being axed by prominent chains in the last seven months.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the critical role that shops plays as an anchor for local communities," the letter to the chancellor said.
"Shops and shopworkers have been on the frontline of the pandemic ensuring communities have access to supplies of food, medicines, and essential goods and supporting the economy by investing in operations, keeping hundreds of thousands of people fully employed and supporting a network of thousands of SMEs in the supply chain."
It goes on to say: "The pandemic has shone a light on retail's role as an anchor for local communities, but the evidence has been clear for many years.
"As an industry, retail is the largest private sector employer and provides proportionately more jobs in constituencies in need of 'levelling up'.
"As other major industries have receded from towns and cities across the North and Midlands, retail has become the bedrock of these economies, providing a disproportionately high number of jobs with wages and productivity growing faster than comparable sectors."
The views of retail bosses responsible for hundreds of thousands of UK employees are expected to lead to further talks between the Treasury and supermarket industry in the coming months, according to insiders.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-30--Starmer 'disappointed' with Corbyn but says 'no reason for civil war' in Labour

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has told Sky News he was `` disappointed '' in his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn 's response to a damning antisemitism report - but has insisted there is `` no reason for a civil war '' in the party .
Mr Corbyn was suspended from Labour on Thursday - a move he condemned as `` political intervention '' - after he claimed that antisemitism in the party was `` dramatically overstated for political reasons '' .
He has vowed to fight his suspension , raising the prospect of a bitter battle between Mr Corbyn , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some Labour MPs loyal to Mr Corbyn have condemned the decision to suspend the party 's former leader and called for him to be reinstated to the party .
But Sir Keir played down the prospect of a looming internal conflict within Labour .
`` I do n't want a split in the Labour Party , '' he told Sky News .
`` I stood as leader of the Labour Party on the basis I would unite the party , but also that I would tackle antisemitism .
`` I think both of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no reason for a civil war in our party .
`` But we are absolutely determined , I am absolutely determined , to root out antisemitism .
`` I do n't want the words Labour and Labour Party and antisemitism in the same sentence again . ''
Sir Keir stressed that the Equality and Human Rights Commission investigation , published on Thursday , had made `` no individual findings '' against Mr Corbyn .
But he said Mr Corbyn 's response to the critical report - in which the former leader suggested antisemitism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media - was `` part of the problem '' the party faces in addressing the issue .
`` I was disappointed in Jeremy 's response yesterday , particularly since I had said in my response that the Labour Party will not tolerate antisemitism , nor will it tolerate those who deny there 's a problem of antisemitism and say it 's all exaggerated or factional , '' Sir Keir added .
`` That , for me , is part of the problem . ''
In another broadcast interview , Sir Keir revealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday night , before the report was published , in which he discussed with his predecessor his planned comments about those who made claims of antisemitism being exaggerated .
Sir Keir served in Mr Corbyn 's shadow cabinet for three-and-a-half years and campaigned for him to become prime minister at the general elections in both 2017 and last year .
The Labour leader defended his decision to align himself with Mr Corbyn 's leadership during that time , despite the allegations of antisemitism that dogged his predecessor 's spell in charge of Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out about antisemitism '' both within the shadow cabinet and in media appearances during that time .
`` I thought it was right to raise it inside the shadow cabinet and outside the shadow cabinet , '' he told Sky News .
`` But there 's no getting away from the findings of the report yesterday .
`` They are clear findings and we all have to accept them , including myself , which is why I thought the right response yesterday was to accept the findings , to apologise again for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make it my absolute business to implement the recommendations as quickly as possible . ''
John McDonnell , Mr Corbyn 's close ally and former Labour shadow chancellor , warned that - despite Sir Keir 's comments - the party was `` drifting towards a hell of a row over use of language , misinterpretation , followed by overreaction '' .
`` My advice is that with a bit of explanation over what was meant in various statements we could all save ourselves a lot of unnecessary grief & get on with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added on Twitter on Friday .
Jonathan Goldstein , chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council , told Sky News that Unite general secretary Len McCluskey - a key ally of Mr Corbyn - was `` part of the problem '' with antisemitism .
Mr McCluskey has previously claimed antisemitism allegations were used to undermine Mr Corbyn 's leadership .
In his Sky News ' interview , when asked repeatedly if Labour would continue to accept millions of pounds in funding from Unite , Sir Keir said he spoke to Mr McCluskey on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognises the antisemitism in the Labour Party '' .
But Mr Goldstein said : `` Len McCluskey is part of the problem , he 's been part of the problem since the beginning .
`` He 's part of the faction that supported Jeremy Corbyn .
There 's been denial on this issue since the very beginning .
`` He described it as 'mood music ' , he 's described it as 'overstated ' .
`` He 's part of the problem and until those around Jeremy Corbyn and Jeremy Corbyn himself have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Jewish people complain about antisemitism - in the same way that black people complain about racism and Muslim people complain about Islamophobia - they undertand what they are talking about , they understand what they 're feeling .
`` Until he respects Jewish people and understands their problems , I 'm afraid he will remain part of the problem himself . ''
Mr Goldstein questioned whether Mr McCluskey was `` fit and proper '' to lead Unite .
Mr McCluskey has condemned the decision to suspend Mr Corbyn as a `` grave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader 's supporters not to quit Labour .
`` I 'm hoping that we 'll be able to resolve the matter and my message really to literally hundreds of thousands of our members who are already expressing their anger is to stay in the party , '' he said on Friday .
`` We need the party to be united - working people out there need us , need a Labour government .
`` So stay in the party and I 'm hoping that we 'll be able to get through this fairly @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has told Sky News he was "disappointed" in his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn's response to a damning antisemitism report - but has insisted there is "no reason for a civil war" in the party.
Mr Corbyn was suspended from Labour on Thursday - a move he condemned as "political intervention" - after he claimed that antisemitism in the party was "dramatically overstated for political reasons".
He has vowed to fight his suspension, raising the prospect of a bitter battle between Mr Corbyn, his allies and Sir Keir's leadership.
Image: Sir Keir Starmer's predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn, has been suspended from Labour
Some Labour MPs loyal to Mr Corbyn have condemned the decision to suspend the party's former leader and called for him to be reinstated to the party.
Diane Abbott, who was shadow home secretary under Mr Corbyn, shared an online petition calling for the party to "reinstate" him.
"He has always stood with us. We must stand with him #IStandWithJeremyCorbyn," she wrote on Twitter.
But Sir Keir played down the prospect of a looming internal conflict within Labour.
"I don't want a split in the Labour Party," he told Sky News.
"I stood as leader of the Labour Party on the basis I would unite the party, but also that I would tackle antisemitism.
Advertisement
"I think both of those can be done, there's no reason for a civil war in our party.
"But we are absolutely determined, I am absolutely determined, to root out antisemitism.
"I don't want the words Labour and Labour Party and antisemitism in the same sentence again."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:24 Corbyn responds to Labour suspension
Sir Keir stressed that the Equality and Human Rights Commission investigation, published on Thursday, had made "no individual findings" against Mr Corbyn.
But he said Mr Corbyn's response to the critical report - in which the former leader suggested antisemitism was exaggerated by Labour's opponents and the media - was "part of the problem" the party faces in addressing the issue.
"I was disappointed in Jeremy's response yesterday, particularly since I had said in my response that the Labour Party will not tolerate antisemitism, nor will it tolerate those who deny there's a problem of antisemitism and say it's all exaggerated or factional," Sir Keir added.
"That, for me, is part of the problem."
In another broadcast interview, Sir Keir revealed he had spoken to Mr Corbyn on Wednesday night, before the report was published, in which he discussed with his predecessor his planned comments about those who made claims of antisemitism being exaggerated.
Sir Keir served in Mr Corbyn's shadow cabinet for three-and-a-half years and campaigned for him to become prime minister at the general elections in both 2017 and last year.
The Labour leader defended his decision to align himself with Mr Corbyn's leadership during that time, despite the allegations of antisemitism that dogged his predecessor's spell in charge of Labour.
Sir Keir said he "spoke out about antisemitism" both within the shadow cabinet and in media appearances during that time.
Image: Allegations of antisemitism dogged Mr Corbyn's spell in charge of Labour
"I thought it was right to raise it inside the shadow cabinet and outside the shadow cabinet," he told Sky News.
"But there's no getting away from the findings of the report yesterday.
"They are clear findings and we all have to accept them, including myself, which is why I thought the right response yesterday was to accept the findings, to apologise again for the hurt that has been caused, and to make it my absolute business to implement the recommendations as quickly as possible."
John McDonnell, Mr Corbyn's close ally and former Labour shadow chancellor, warned that - despite Sir Keir's comments - the party was "drifting towards a hell of a row over use of language, misinterpretation, followed by overreaction".
"My advice is that with a bit of explanation over what was meant in various statements we could all save ourselves a lot of unnecessary grief & get on with tackling Covid & job cuts," he added on Twitter on Friday.
Jonathan Goldstein, chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council, told Sky News that Unite general secretary Len McCluskey - a key ally of Mr Corbyn - was "part of the problem" with antisemitism.
Mr McCluskey has previously claimed antisemitism allegations were used to undermine Mr Corbyn's leadership.
In his Sky News' interview, when asked repeatedly if Labour would continue to accept millions of pounds in funding from Unite, Sir Keir said he spoke to Mr McCluskey on Thursday and the trade union leader "recognises the antisemitism in the Labour Party".
But Mr Goldstein said: "Len McCluskey is part of the problem, he's been part of the problem since the beginning.
"He's part of the faction that supported Jeremy Corbyn. There's been denial on this issue since the very beginning.
"He described it as 'mood music', he's described it as 'overstated'.
"He's part of the problem and until those around Jeremy Corbyn and Jeremy Corbyn himself have a level of self-reflection and understand that when Jewish people complain about antisemitism - in the same way that black people complain about racism and Muslim people complain about Islamophobia - they undertand what they are talking about, they understand what they're feeling.
"Until he respects Jewish people and understands their problems, I'm afraid he will remain part of the problem himself."
Mr Goldstein questioned whether Mr McCluskey was "fit and proper" to lead Unite.
Mr McCluskey has condemned the decision to suspend Mr Corbyn as a "grave injustice" but he urged the former leader's supporters not to quit Labour.
"I'm hoping that we'll be able to resolve the matter and my message really to literally hundreds of thousands of our members who are already expressing their anger is to stay in the party," he said on Friday.
"We need the party to be united - working people out there need us, need a Labour government.
"So stay in the party and I'm hoping that we'll be able to get through this fairly quickly to everybody's satisfaction."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-29--Corbyn vows to fight suspension from Labour over antisemitism report reaction

Jeremy Corbyn has been suspended from Labour just six months after stepping down as leader , threatening to ignite internal civil war .
A party spokesman said it was because of his reaction to a bombshell report into how complaints of antisemitism were handled .
Some MPs have welcomed the move as necessary , saying it shows Labour has changed and will take swift action against racism .
But it has also sparked a rupture , with those who remain loyal to Mr Corbyn vowing to challenge the decision and warning a divided party will lose the next election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but has refused to retract the comments that sparked such furore among senior party figures .
The row erupted when Mr Corbyn gave his reaction to a damning report from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission , which has been running for over a year .
The watchdog found Labour had broken the law with its handling of antisemitism complaints during the period when Mr Corbyn was in charge .
It said there were `` serious failings '' by the party leadership , found evidence of political interference by Mr Corbyn 's office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for `` unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination '' .
Mr Corbyn reacted by saying he tried to make the process for investigating and acting on complaints quicker , but admitted : `` I regret that it took longer to deliver that change than it should . ''
He also added that `` the scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons '' .
And then doubling down on his own innocence , Mr Corbyn told Sky News in an interview : `` I 'm not part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Labour spokesman said he was being suspended and having the whip withdrawn - meaning he will not represent the party in parliament - `` in light of his comments made today and his failure to retract them subsequently '' .
A surprised Mr Corbyn is said to have been told about the news by a TV crew and exclaimed : `` What ? ''
He then released another statement , vowing to `` strongly contest the political intervention to suspend me '' .
`` I 've made absolutely clear those who deny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Labour Party are wrong , '' the Islington North MP added .
Leader Sir Keir Starmer said the direction to suspend Mr Corbyn was not given by him but taken by the party .
But he added it was `` appropriate action '' that `` I fully support '' and added : `` I made it very clear ... the Labour Party will not tolerate antisemitism or the denial of antisemitism . ''
Mr Corbyn 's old shadow cabinet and union allies sprang to his defence , with former shadow chancellor John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calm '' and `` all call upon the leadership to lift this suspension '' .
Diane Abbott , who was shadow home secretary until the spring , also tweeted : `` I oppose the decision to suspend Jeremy Corbyn from the Labour Party and will work for his reinstatement . ''
And Len McCluskey , the head of the Unite union , called it `` an act of grave injustice which , if not reversed , will create chaos within the party and in doing so compromise Labour 's chances of a general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A split party will be doomed to defeat . ''
But other Labour figures welcomed the decision , with shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy saying it was `` the right thing to do '' .
Labour MP Harriet Harman , chair of the human rights committee , tweeted : `` This is the right thing to do . ''
And another backbencher , Margaret Hodge , said : `` Labour is finally saying enough is enough , antisemitism can never be tolerated in our party .
Now we can finally move on .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more to answer for , with chair Amanda Milling saying he `` loyally served in Corbyn 's shadow cabinet as antisemitism ripped through the Labour Party '' .


skynewspolitics--2020-10-30--Short 'circuit break' national lockdown 'an enigma', claims Raab

A short `` circuit break '' national lockdown is `` something of an enigma '' and a `` blunt tool '' in dealing with rising coronavirus cases , a senior cabinet minister has told Sky News .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab defended the government 's three-tiered system of localised lockdowns in England to tackle the second wave of COVID-19 infections , despite growing pressure for further national measures .
`` The most important thing is to keep targeting the virus where it is picking up , where it is gathering momentum , which is why the targeted , localised , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions but with the financial support - is the right approach and that 's the way we 'll avoid the rather blanket , blunt tool of a national lockdown , '' he said .
Members of the government 's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) , as well as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer , have called for a two or three week `` circuit break '' national lockdown in England to reverse the transmission of the virus .
Northern Ireland and Wales have both taken such action , while France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures as the second wave of coronavirus spreads across Europe .
Meanwhile , Professor Gina Radford - a former deputy chief medical officer for England - has told Sky News a second national lockdown is `` very , very likely '' this winter .
But , standing firm behind the government 's localised approach , Mr Raab claimed those who advocate a circuit break have `` never been able to say how you get out of it '' .
`` So the idea of a short , sharp circuit breaker is , frankly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
`` No one can say , if you go into a national lockdown , at what point you get out of it .
`` So I think that would not only be damaging in economic terms , it would n't be the targeted approach in epidemiological terms and it would create great uncertainty . ''
Mr Raab promised that ministers would `` strain every sinew , work with local leaders , provide financial support but target the virus where the uptick is the most threatening '' .
Parts of England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been under localised restrictions since the end of July , which have since been upgraded to Tier 3 measures .
Challenged as to how those areas under the most stringent restrictions could subsequently exit them , Mr Raab replied : `` With all of the targeted approaches , the advantage you 've got is we would examine the data locally so there is a review process in place for all the tiered , localised restrictions that we 've got . ''
: : Subscribe to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hours before Nottinghamshire became the latest area of England to enter Tier 3 measures , large groups of people in fancy dress drank alcohol and chanted near police vehicles .
And the foreign secretary acknowledged that `` people become weary with the state of play '' amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic .
But he urged the public to follow the government 's localised rules , adding : `` What 's most important at this time is everyone leans into this . ''

A short "circuit break" national lockdown is "something of an enigma" and a "blunt tool" in dealing with rising coronavirus cases, a senior cabinet minister has told Sky News.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab defended the government's three-tiered system of localised lockdowns in England to tackle the second wave of COVID-19 infections, despite growing pressure for further national measures.
"The most important thing is to keep targeting the virus where it is picking up, where it is gathering momentum, which is why the targeted, localised, focused, approach - not just with restrictions but with the financial support - is the right approach and that's the way we'll avoid the rather blanket, blunt tool of a national lockdown," he said.
Image: Measures under Tiers 1, 2 and 3 of England's lockdown system
Members of the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), as well as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, have called for a two or three week "circuit break" national lockdown in England to reverse the transmission of the virus.
Northern Ireland and Wales have both taken such action, while France and Germany have also announced fresh lockdown measures as the second wave of coronavirus spreads across Europe.
Meanwhile, Professor Gina Radford - a former deputy chief medical officer for England - has told Sky News a second national lockdown is "very, very likely" this winter.
But, standing firm behind the government's localised approach, Mr Raab claimed those who advocate a circuit break have "never been able to say how you get out of it".
"So the idea of a short, sharp circuit breaker is, frankly, something of an enigma," he added.
"No one can say, if you go into a national lockdown, at what point you get out of it.
Advertisement
"So I think that would not only be damaging in economic terms, it wouldn't be the targeted approach in epidemiological terms and it would create great uncertainty."
Image: Large crowds of people were seen on the streets of Nottingham on Thursday night
Mr Raab promised that ministers would "strain every sinew, work with local leaders, provide financial support but target the virus where the uptick is the most threatening".
Parts of England, such as Greater Manchester, have been under localised restrictions since the end of July, which have since been upgraded to Tier 3 measures.
Challenged as to how those areas under the most stringent restrictions could subsequently exit them, Mr Raab replied: "With all of the targeted approaches, the advantage you've got is we would examine the data locally so there is a review process in place for all the tiered, localised restrictions that we've got."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Subscribe to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Hours before Nottinghamshire became the latest area of England to enter Tier 3 measures, large groups of people in fancy dress drank alcohol and chanted near police vehicles.
And the foreign secretary acknowledged that "people become weary with the state of play" amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
But he urged the public to follow the government's localised rules, adding: "What's most important at this time is everyone leans into this."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-30--'You shouldn't be worrying about how you feed your child': The growing hunger crisis caused by COVID

'You shouldn't be worrying about how you feed your child': The growing hunger crisis caused by COVID-19

`` Every child has the right to be fed , '' says charity worker Helen Needham as she packs tins and fruit into white plastic bags .
`` No child should be going hungry in 2020 and we have a responsibility to make sure that does n't happen . ''
At Foleshill Community Centre in north Coventry , they 've registered 500 new individuals for the `` social supermarket '' since March .
Users pay £4 for a subsidised bag of food , but the Feeding Britain charity also offers free food parcels for struggling families during half term .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , first inside is toddler Rose , dressed in pink ribboned socks and a tutu , followed by her mother , Sarah .
The mum of five says she has an income of £87 a week and without the food bank they would have to go further into debt or `` go without '' .
Rose does n't qualify for child tax credits because she was born after the two child limit was introduced .
Sarah says : `` I 've been scraping to make ends meet , deciding which bill to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't be worrying about how you feed your child .
Then people have a go at you , but they obviously have n't been in that situation . ''
Half term has come and gone and despite mounting pressure , the government has held fast to its decision not to extend the free school meal voucher system .
Marcus Rashford 's petition against that decision has passed a million signatures and the economic forecast gets ever gloomier .
A series of surveys has illustrated the growing hunger crisis caused by COVID-19 .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of households had used credit to pay for food .
This month , the Food Foundation discovered there was heightened demand for free school meals , with 900,000 children newly registered to the scheme .
But still there 's an impasse in the politics of hunger , with no clear answer as to what can be done .
Lord Field of Birkenhead , a former Labour MP and founder of the all-parliamentary group on hunger and food poverty , has made a surprising suggestion .
He has told Sky News the answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservative manifesto .
Lord Field 's charity , Feeding Britain , has been holding meetings with government departments and he points to a £1bn pledge made during the 2019 general election .
Casual observers of the campaign could be forgiven for thinking the Conservatives had promised little more than to `` get Brexit done '' , but their manifesto also promised : `` We will establish a new £1bn fund to help create more high quality , affordable childcare , including before and after school and during the school holidays . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be spread out over five years , beginning next summer , but Lord Field describes it as `` a lovely let out for the government '' and adds : `` We 've met with the government and we 've met with activists and we are helping the government to plan out how to spend that billion pounds on this anti-hunger campaign .
`` We must get something for Christmas and bring forward its billion pound scheme from the summer to the Easter holidays . ''
To date , the government 's furlough scheme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , giving 80 % of wages to employees temporarily out of work .
But that scheme ends this week , to be replaced by a more complex and less well funded version .
The government has also added £20 a week to Universal Credit and offered food vouchers over the summer holidays to families with children who qualify for free school meals .
Last week , Labour lost a motion in parliament to extend the free school meal voucher system into the Christmas holidays .
Many Conservatives argued that this was a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase dependency '' and there had to be other ways to deal with child poverty beyond handing out food .
Many charities agree with the sentiment that free food is n't the ultimate answer - families should be able to afford to buy it .
Paul Morrison , a policy advisor to the Methodist Church says : `` Essentially , Universal Credit does n't provide enough for families to live on - there are lots of reasons for that . ''
He lists the two child rule , differing rent costs across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to play its part in pulling people out of poverty .
A group of churches conducted a study on the impact of coronavirus on family incomes and found it applied pressure to a system that was already cracked .
People in lower income jobs were more likely to lose them or see wages cut , but also poorer people experienced a `` COVID inflation '' on their food prices as it became harder to shop around for cut-price deals .
Prior to the virus , some families spent 10 hours a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Before the lockdown , many families were just about making ends meet - but often families were doing it by shopping at one shop , and shopping at another and waiting for the yellow stickers to come on for the sale items at the end of the day - and it was by that slender thread that their budget made sense .
Now it 's much harder to do that . ''
Food bank users in Coventry agree , saying there is greater demand for the products and the bargain aisles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and chair of the Education Select Committee , Robert Halfon , voted against his government last week , supporting Labour 's motion in the commons to extend the food voucher scheme .
However , he believes the system is not a permanent solution and the £1bn childcare pledge could be accelerated .
He told Sky News : `` As I understand it , the children 's minister and Number 10 are working on a plan to combat hunger , but we have to have that plan in place before Christmas .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should have been done over the summer .
I hope in the spending round next month , the chancellor lays out how that billion pounds is going to be spent and how it is going to be used to combat child hunger . ''
Mr Halfon believes that every government policy should now be assessed for its impact on addressing social injustice and how it affects child poverty .
He says the government needs to gather the data on how much child hunger there is in the UK .
He adds `` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irresponsible .
The real life of people on low pay is something we have to understand as a party . ''

"Every child has the right to be fed," says charity worker Helen Needham as she packs tins and fruit into white plastic bags.
"No child should be going hungry in 2020 and we have a responsibility to make sure that doesn't happen."
At Foleshill Community Centre in north Coventry, they've registered 500 new individuals for the "social supermarket" since March.
Image: Charity worker Helen Needham says 'no child should be going hungry in 2020'
Users pay £4 for a subsidised bag of food, but the Feeding Britain charity also offers free food parcels for struggling families during half term.
When Helen opens the doors at 10am, first inside is toddler Rose, dressed in pink ribboned socks and a tutu, followed by her mother, Sarah.
The mum of five says she has an income of £87 a week and without the food bank they would have to go further into debt or "go without".
Rose doesn't qualify for child tax credits because she was born after the two child limit was introduced.
Sarah says: "I've been scraping to make ends meet, deciding which bill to pay or what to buy. You shouldn't be worrying about how you feed your child. Then people have a go at you, but they obviously haven't been in that situation."
Half term has come and gone and despite mounting pressure, the government has held fast to its decision not to extend the free school meal voucher system.
Advertisement
Image: Two-year-old Rose collecting provisions
Marcus Rashford's petition against that decision has passed a million signatures and the economic forecast gets ever gloomier.
A series of surveys has illustrated the growing hunger crisis caused by COVID-19.
Last month, standard life reported that 18% of households had used credit to pay for food.
This month, the Food Foundation discovered there was heightened demand for free school meals, with 900,000 children newly registered to the scheme.
But still there's an impasse in the politics of hunger, with no clear answer as to what can be done.
Lord Field of Birkenhead, a former Labour MP and founder of the all-parliamentary group on hunger and food poverty, has made a surprising suggestion.
He has told Sky News the answer for Boris Johnson is sitting in the Conservative manifesto.
Lord Field's charity, Feeding Britain, has been holding meetings with government departments and he points to a £1bn pledge made during the 2019 general election.
Image: The government is being urged to use a policy in its manifesto to help provide food
Casual observers of the campaign could be forgiven for thinking the Conservatives had promised little more than to "get Brexit done", but their manifesto also promised: "We will establish a new £1bn fund to help create more high quality, affordable childcare, including before and after school and during the school holidays."
The cash boost for childcare was due to be spread out over five years, beginning next summer, but Lord Field describes it as "a lovely let out for the government" and adds: "We've met with the government and we've met with activists and we are helping the government to plan out how to spend that billion pounds on this anti-hunger campaign.
"We must get something for Christmas and bring forward its billion pound scheme from the summer to the Easter holidays."
To date, the government's furlough scheme has done much to stem the flow, giving 80% of wages to employees temporarily out of work.
But that scheme ends this week, to be replaced by a more complex and less well funded version.
The government has also added £20 a week to Universal Credit and offered food vouchers over the summer holidays to families with children who qualify for free school meals.
Image: Marcus Rashford helping out at FareShare Greater Manchester
Last week, Labour lost a motion in parliament to extend the free school meal voucher system into the Christmas holidays.
Many Conservatives argued that this was a "sticking plaster" solution that would "increase dependency" and there had to be other ways to deal with child poverty beyond handing out food.
Many charities agree with the sentiment that free food isn't the ultimate answer - families should be able to afford to buy it.
Paul Morrison, a policy advisor to the Methodist Church says: "Essentially, Universal Credit doesn't provide enough for families to live on - there are lots of reasons for that."
He lists the two child rule, differing rent costs across the country and a gig economy that's failed to play its part in pulling people out of poverty.
A group of churches conducted a study on the impact of coronavirus on family incomes and found it applied pressure to a system that was already cracked.
People in lower income jobs were more likely to lose them or see wages cut, but also poorer people experienced a "COVID inflation" on their food prices as it became harder to shop around for cut-price deals.
Prior to the virus, some families spent 10 hours a week shopping for bargains.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:22 Firms in Leeds helping the community
Mr Morrison says: "Before the lockdown, many families were just about making ends meet - but often families were doing it by shopping at one shop, and shopping at another and waiting for the yellow stickers to come on for the sale items at the end of the day - and it was by that slender thread that their budget made sense. Now it's much harder to do that."
Food bank users in Coventry agree, saying there is greater demand for the products and the bargain aisles "get crowded".
Conservative MP and chair of the Education Select Committee, Robert Halfon, voted against his government last week, supporting Labour's motion in the commons to extend the food voucher scheme.
However, he believes the system is not a permanent solution and the £1bn childcare pledge could be accelerated.
He told Sky News: "As I understand it, the children's minister and Number 10 are working on a plan to combat hunger, but we have to have that plan in place before Christmas.
"This is a matter of urgency - it should have been done over the summer. I hope in the spending round next month, the chancellor lays out how that billion pounds is going to be spent and how it is going to be used to combat child hunger."
Mr Halfon believes that every government policy should now be assessed for its impact on addressing social injustice and how it affects child poverty.
He says the government needs to gather the data on how much child hunger there is in the UK.
He adds "This is nothing to do with parents being irresponsible. The real life of people on low pay is something we have to understand as a party."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-30--Johnson and Symonds to praise NHS staff in first joint TV appearance

Boris Johnson and his fiancee , Carrie Symonds , will praise NHS staff for their `` courage and dedication '' during the coronavirus pandemic in a message which will be broadcast on Sunday .
They will thank frontline workers for saving the prime minister 's life as he fought coronavirus , and for delivering their son .
The couple have nominated nurses Jenny McGee and Luis Pitarma - two of nurses who cared for Mr Johnson at St Thomas ' Hospital - and the maternity team who delivered their son Wilfred for Pride of Britain awards in a recording for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` You continue to provide care for all of us in the very toughest of times and it 's because of you that not only is Boris still here , but that we are proud parents to our sweet baby boy .
`` As a family we have so much to be thankful to the NHS for and we will never stop being grateful . ''
The prime minister added : `` Exactly right .
So I want to pay thanks to the utterly brilliant team at St Thomas ' Hospital who saved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them , but I want to nominate two nurses in particular , Luis and Jenny . ''
Mr Johnson was treated in an intensive care unit at the hospital for COVID-19 in April .
Weeks later , the couple 's first child , Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson , was born at University College Hospital .
They named their child after Mr Johnson 's grandfather , Wilfred , and Ms Symonds ' grandfather , Lawrie .
Ms Symonds said he had also been named after the two doctors , Dr Nick Price and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson 's life when he was in intensive care with coronavirus .
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will also present a special recognition award to NHS staff during the show .
As government advisers at SAGE warn that the `` reasonable worst-case scenario '' for coronavirus cases and hospital admissions has been breached , the prime minister last appeared at Downing Street coronavirus briefing more than a week ago on 22 October .

Boris Johnson and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds, will praise NHS staff for their "courage and dedication" during the coronavirus pandemic in a message which will be broadcast on Sunday.
They will thank frontline workers for saving the prime minister's life as he fought coronavirus, and for delivering their son.
The couple have nominated nurses Jenny McGee and Luis Pitarma - two of nurses who cared for Mr Johnson at St Thomas' Hospital - and the maternity team who delivered their son Wilfred for Pride of Britain awards in a recording for the show.
Image: The couple named their son after doctors who helped treat the prime minister during his coronavirus battle
Ms Symonds said: "You continue to provide care for all of us in the very toughest of times and it's because of you that not only is Boris still here, but that we are proud parents to our sweet baby boy.
"As a family we have so much to be thankful to the NHS for and we will never stop being grateful."
The prime minister added: "Exactly right. So I want to pay thanks to the utterly brilliant team at St Thomas' Hospital who saved my life.
"There were many of them, but I want to nominate two nurses in particular, Luis and Jenny."
Mr Johnson was treated in an intensive care unit at the hospital for COVID-19 in April.
Weeks later, the couple's first child, Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson, was born at University College Hospital.
Advertisement
Image: Boris Johnson was admitted into intensive care for coronavirus in April
They named their child after Mr Johnson's grandfather, Wilfred, and Ms Symonds' grandfather, Lawrie.
Ms Symonds said he had also been named after the two doctors, Dr Nick Price and Professor Nick Hart, who saved Mr Johnson's life when he was in intensive care with coronavirus.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will also present a special recognition award to NHS staff during the show.
As government advisers at SAGE warn that the "reasonable worst-case scenario" for coronavirus cases and hospital admissions has been breached, the prime minister last appeared at Downing Street coronavirus briefing more than a week ago on 22 October.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-30--Wales won't return to local lockdowns after 17-day 'fire break' ends

Wales will not return to a series of localised coronavirus restrictions once its current 17-day `` fire break '' lockdown ends , the country 's first minister has announced .
Mark Drakeford said a `` simpler set of national restrictions '' would instead replace the current measures rather than the local lockdowns that were previously imposed during the autumn .
The current fire break period in Wales - which has seen controversy over what supermarkets are allowed to sell under the rules - is due to last until 9 November .
Until that date , people in Wales are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for very limited purposes - and bars , restaurants and most shops are closed .
At a Welsh government briefing in Cardiff on Friday , Mr Drakeford explained what would replace the fire break rules once the 17-day period ends .
`` We will put in place a simpler set of national rules that are easier for everybody to understand , to help keep us safe and keep the virus under control , '' he said .
`` We 've been working hard to create this new set of measures that we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If the new measures are to work , we all have to act in ways that live up to the public health emergency we are facing together .
`` Please do not treat the new rules as though they were a game in which the challenge is always to stretch them to the limit . ''
Mr Drakeford added that he will provide the `` full details '' of the new measures on Monday .
: : Subscribe to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the local lockdown system , the first minister said : `` It 's not that they did n't work .
`` It 's that they did n't work well enough to withstand the onslaught that we have seen from the virus over the last six weeks .
`` They undoubtedly have helped , and all the efforts that people have made in those areas have kept the virus at a lower level in Wales than would otherwise have been the case . ''
Earlier on Friday , Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach to restrictions for England .
He described a short national lockdown - as pursued by Wales and also Northern Ireland - as `` something of an enigma '' and a `` blunt tool '' in dealing with rising coronavirus cases .

Wales will not return to a series of localised coronavirus restrictions once its current 17-day "fire break" lockdown ends, the country's first minister has announced.
Mark Drakeford said a "simpler set of national restrictions" would instead replace the current measures rather than the local lockdowns that were previously imposed during the autumn.
The current fire break period in Wales - which has seen controversy over what supermarkets are allowed to sell under the rules - is due to last until 9 November.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:46 'I think the Welsh govt has lost the plot'
Until that date, people in Wales are being urged to stay at home - except for very limited purposes - and bars, restaurants and most shops are closed.
At a Welsh government briefing in Cardiff on Friday, Mr Drakeford explained what would replace the fire break rules once the 17-day period ends.
"We will put in place a simpler set of national rules that are easier for everybody to understand, to help keep us safe and keep the virus under control," he said.
"We've been working hard to create this new set of measures that we can all live with this winter.
"If the new measures are to work, we all have to act in ways that live up to the public health emergency we are facing together.
"Please do not treat the new rules as though they were a game in which the challenge is always to stretch them to the limit."
Advertisement
Mr Drakeford added that he will provide the "full details" of the new measures on Monday.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Subscribe to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Asked why Wales would not return to the local lockdown system, the first minister said: "It's not that they didn't work.
"It's that they didn't work well enough to withstand the onslaught that we have seen from the virus over the last six weeks.
"They undoubtedly have helped, and all the efforts that people have made in those areas have kept the virus at a lower level in Wales than would otherwise have been the case."
Earlier on Friday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab stood firmly behind the UK government's localised approach to restrictions for England.
He described a short national lockdown - as pursued by Wales and also Northern Ireland - as "something of an enigma" and a "blunt tool" in dealing with rising coronavirus cases.