Labour shadow middle east minister suspended
Shadow foreign office minister Bambos Charalambous, the MP for Enfield Southgate, suspended by party after complaint made about his conduct
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Labour’s shadow middle east minister has been suspended following a complaint over his behaviour.
The Guardian reported on Friday that Bambos Charalambous, the MP for Enfield Southgate, has been administratively suspended from the Labour party, after a formal complaint was passed on to the party’s independent complaints process.
Jewish News had also learned of the allegation made against the shadow minister, which does not relate to antisemitism.
I am aware that there is an allegation that requires investigation by the Labour Party.
It is right and proper that process is allowed to take place. I will cooperate fully and play my full part.
It is not appropriate to say anything further at this time.
— Bambos Charalambous MP (@BambosMP) June 9, 2023
With an investigation confirmed, Charalambous has stood down from his front bench role on the shadow foreign affairs team, and he has also had the party whip withdrawn.Charalambous confirmed on Friday: “I am aware that there is an allegation that requires investigation by the Labour party.
“It is right and proper that process is allowed to take place. I will cooperate fully and play my full part. It is not appropriate to say anything further at this time.”
Photo Ian Vogler
He will now sit as an independent MP while the investigation takes place.
In parliament Charalambous has attempted to tread a careful path in his political role on issues such as Israel and Palestine, and as a firm supporter of a two state solution. His suspension is not linked to this role.
Labour is not commenting on the suspension of the whip or the investigation.
The party introduced a new independent complaints process to deal with all protected characteristics.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
