Labour candidate sorry for saying antisemitism claims are part of ‘Corbyn plot’

Tina McKay, Labour’s parliamentary candidate in Colchester, has apologised after suggesting claims of antisemitism in the party are part of a “plot” against Jeremy Corbyn.

“There have been individuals who have said that it has been used as a plot, there is evidence of what they said being true,” she wrote in a comment on an Essex University Labour Students Facebook post.

She added: “However they should acknowledge there are people who are antisemitic.

“Considering the report last week showed there have been a minority of Labour members engaged in despicable AS behaviour, it did mount to 0.9 percent but I would say 1 person harbouring such views is too many.”

In a later statement, she said: “I am sorry for the language I used in a recent conversation on Facebook. As I said in that conversation, there are people in our party who engage in despicable antisemitic behaviour.

“They are a small minority but one antisemite in our party is one too many. However, my particular choice of words was offensive and inappropriate. I realise that now and I thank those who pointed it out to me.

“Antisemitism is a problem in our party and wider society, and those who deny it are contributing to the problem. I am absolutely committed to fighting this evil and I look forward to listening to those in the Jewish community about how best we can do this.”