John Bercow: Anti-Semitism still a ‘pervasive threat’

Anti-semitism is a significant problem in the United Kingdom, John Bercow has said.

The Commons Speaker made the remark after Conservative Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) told MPs they would not be found wanting in standing up for the right of Jewish people to live in peace.

Raising a point of order, Sir Edward told Mr Bercow: “I thought it’d be appropriate to say, as we (Parliament) celebrate our 750th birthday today we can outline in this House – and I recognise you’re the head of this House and of Jewish ancestry – even if our House survives for another 750 years, we will not be found wanting in standing up for the right of Jewish people to live in peace and freedom, wherever they live in the world.”

Mr Bercow replied: “It will be endorsed by everybody across this House.

“It might be thought to be a particularly timely point of order for you to raise given the pervasive threat of anti-semitism in many parts of the world and the fact it is a significant problem in the United Kingdom as well.”