Luciana Berger: Ken Livingstone an ‘absolute disgrace’

SHADOW CABINET minister Luciana Berger has called on Jewish members of her party to keep faith in Labour politics in the wake of the bitter anti-Semitism row, singling out Ken Livingstone as an “absolute disgrace.”

The Liverpool Wavertree MP made her comments amid concern over a series of alleged anti-Semitic incidents, which has seen around 20 members suspended.

Speaking at Tuesday’s Jewish Women’s Aid’s annual lunch to an audience of 250 women at The Montcalm in Great Cumberland Place, Berger said: “Some people have asked me if the Jewish community should abandon the Labour Party. I think it would be absolutely perverse if people like me and my Jewish parliamentary colleagues… left the Labour Party. It’s the anti-Semites who should leave the Labour Party.”

The shadow minister also reacted to Ken Livingstone’s remarks two weeks ago, claiming Hitler was a Zionist, and fellow MP Naz Shah’s post on Facebook which sparked the controversy. Berger said the former mayor of London was “an absolute disgrace” and “certainly does not speak for my party”.

She also spoke about tackling domestic violence against women for the charity, which offers help, support, and counseling for victims of abuse.

The MP also reflected on her role as a shadow minister, outlining her aspirations for improving the exposure of mental health and mental health services.