Corbyn ally who blamed antisemitism allegations on Jewish ‘Trump fanatics’ re-elected to Labour’s governing body

Party members elect full nine-strong Corbyn-supporting slate – called the #JC9 on social media – in a clean sweep

A Jeremy Corbyn ally has been re-elected to Labour’s governing body despite claiming that complaints of antisemitism in the party were being made up by Jewish “Trump fanatics”.

Peter Willsman triggered a storm of criticism in July when his recorded comments were leaked – prompting the pro-Corbyn grassroots group Momentum to withdraw its support from him.

However, the long-standing Corbyn supporter has clung onto his seat on the National Executive Committee (NEC), as the Labour leader retained his iron grip on the party – to the despair of centrist figures.

Party members elected the full nine-strong Corbyn-supporting slate – called the #JC9 on social media – in a clean sweep, prompting anger from the group Labour Against Antisemitism (LAA).

It said none of the nine had publicly supported the full International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) document on antisemitism, in the controversy that has dogged the party this summer.

“The election of the ‘#JC9’ slate by Labour members to the party’s NEC raises further concerns about institutional antisemitism in the party,” said Denny Taylor, the LAA’s spokesman.

Describing the results as “highly disappointing”, he added: “Labour members have chosen to give their support to candidates apparently ambivalent towards tackling what is an existential threat to our party.”

In the July recording, obtained by the Jewish Chronicle, Mr Willsman described rabbis’ warnings of “severe and widespread” anti-Jewish sentiment in Labour as “simply false”, insisting he had never witnessed any.

He said: “Some of these people in the Jewish community support Trump. They're Trump fanatics and all the rest of it. I am not going to be lectured to by Trump fanatics making up fast information without any evidence at all.”

The recording was made at the meeting when the NEC refused to adopt all the IHRA’s examples of antisemitism, because of opposition from Mr Corbyn and his key advisers.

It prompted calls for Mr Willsman to resign, including from former Corbyn aide Matt Zarb-Cousin who tweeted: “You've had your time Pete, time to go. Let someone else have a chance, preferably someone who doesn't downplay racism.”

Tom Watson, Labour's deputy leader, tweeted: “For the avoidance of doubt: Peter Willsman is and always has been a loudmouthed bully. He disgusts me.”

The results saw Jon Lansman, the veteran Corbyn ally and Momentum founder, retain his NEC seat. The other winners were Ann Henderson, Claudia Webbe, Darren Williams, Huda Elmi, Nav Mishra, Rachel Garnham and Yasmine Dar.

The leader’s opponents had pinned their hopes on independent Ann Black edging out Mr Willsman, although she – in proof of the moderates’ weakness – is a veteran of the Labour left.

In the end, Ms Black finished 13th, while comedian Eddie Izzard was pushed into 10th place by Mr Willsman, who grabbed the last of the nine seats.

Regardless of the results, the Labour leader would have retained a comfortable majority on the NEC, where most of the big unions are strongly behind him on almost all issues.

The exception is the full adoption of the IHRA document on antisemitism, which is expected to be approved if it comes to a vote on Tuesday.

There was speculation that Mr Corbyn might make an announcement ahead of the meeting, to head off criticism that the unions and Momentum had defeated him.