A Labour mayor has accused his party of being “anti-democratic” after he was blocked from running in an election for a new position.
Jamie Driscoll, mayor of the North of Tyne, refused to condemn controversial remarks from director Ken Loach about Jews, Israel and the Holocaust.
He has been prevented by Labour HQ from standing as candidate for the newly created role of leader of the North East Mayoral Combined Authority after appearing on stage with Mr Loach.
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Speaking to Sky’s Sophy Ridge, Mr Driscoll was asked about Mr Loach’s comments.
They include saying that Israel’s actions made a rise in antisemitism understandable; and replying that “all history” was up for discussion when asked if the Holocaust was unacceptable or if Israel’s founding was based on ethnic cleansing.
Mr Driscoll said this was a question for Mr Loach, and that he was “not a spokesman for Ken Loach”.
“My combined authority has adopted the… IHRA [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance] definition of antisemitism,” he added.
“I’ve been on Jewish Labour Movement training, I work very closely with the Jewish Leadership Council, visit the synagogues in my region.”
Ken Loach was kicked out the party in 2021. Pic: AP
In response, a spokesman for the Jewish Leadership Council said the “main purpose” of their meetings with Mr Driscoll were to “request his combined authority adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism”.
“Considering he has repeatedly failed to commit to this when directly engaging with us, we were disappointed to see him using a ‘relationship’ with us to defend himself against criticism.”
Adam Langleben, national secretary of the Jewish Labour Movement, said: “If Mr Driscoll did attend our training, and we have no record that he did, it is clear that he didn’t take much from it as we state that platforming people with histories of controversial statements towards Jews is ill-advised.
“Mr Loach’s previous history of provocative statements, especially in regards to Jewish victims of the Holocaust are now well known within the Labour Party. Ignorance can be no excuse after the past seven years.”
Mr Driscoll said he found out he would not be a potential candidate for the new role via email.
The mayor said banning people “who are promoting socialist views from participating is really quite anti-democratic”.
Mr Driscoll and Mr Loach appeared at Newcastle’s Live Theatre in March to speak about the director’s filmmaking.
The mayor told Sky News that Mr Loach’s films were of “big cultural significance” to the North East.
He said he regretted “this entire episode” but believed the “whole thing’s blown up and now Labour members are not getting the opportunity to choose”.
Mr Driscoll said local Labour members should decide who should run.
Sir Keir Starmer with Jamie Driscoll (right)
Mr Loach was kicked out of Labour in 2021, and while it is unclear precisely what for, he said in a tweet it was because he would “not disown those already expelled”.
It came shortly after the party expelled a number of groups, including Resist, Socialist Appeal, Labour in Exile Network and Labour Against the Witch-hunt.
Mr Loach was a vocal supporter of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, and Mr Driscoll has been described as the “last Corbynista in power”.
Mr Corbyn has been blocked from standing for Labour in the next general election due to his reaction to antisemitism investigations during his tenure as leader.
Mr Loach has also been supportive of Chris Williamson, a former Labour MP removed from the party who claimed Labour was “too apologetic” over the issue.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer gears up for an expected general election next year, with lists of potential candidates being tightly controlled.
Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Sky News he strongly disagreed with suggestions the Labour leader is trying to purge the party’s left.
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He said Sir Keir had “changed the party” and that it was necessary to have “due diligence” for selecting candidates.
Mr Reynolds said a person who “shares a platform with someone who has been expelled from the Labour Party for their views on antisemitism” could not be chosen.