‘Jury still out’ on MP Osamor, says JLM, as Labour restores party whip
Kate Osamor, MP for Edmonton, had been suspended over comments made ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
The Jewish Labour Movement says the “jury is still out” on MP Kate Osamor, after Labour confirmed the party whip had been restored to her after she apologised for Gaza “genocide” ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day.
A Labour spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday: “The Chief Whip has today restored the Labour whip to Kate Osamor MP. This follows a full investigation by the Labour Party into complaints received about a social media post she made in January.”
It is understood the MP, who has been a supporter of former leader Jeremy Corbyn, has received a formal written warning for her actions.
In a statement Edmonton MP Osamor: “I am grateful to the Labour Party for their investigation into my conduct and I accept the outcome in full.
“I want to unreservedly apologise again for my comments. I made remarks which were insensitive, inappropriate, and which I apologise for and regret.
“I will continue to reach out to Jewish stakeholders and the community. I am committed to ensuring that I don’t fall short of the highest standards. I look forward to continuing to represent my constituents of Edmonton in Westminster as a Labour MP.”
But a JLM spokesperson said: “Kate Osamor’s original actions and non-apology were disgraceful and smeared the memory of all those who died in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Darfur, Rwanda and Bosnia, as commemorated by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. It is right that, as we understand, she has received a formal written warning from the Labour Party.
“The onus is now on her to engage with her local Jewish community in Enfield and the wider community, properly. Given her previous record and comments in this area, this will require a sincere and honest approach. Until and unless this happens, the jury is still out.”
In an email to local party members in January Osamor wrote: “Tomorrow is Holocaust Memorial Day, an international day to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, the millions of other people murdered under Nazi persecution of other groups and more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and now Gaza.”
She apologised at the time and was suspended.
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