Peer who supported activists suspended over antisemitism takes Lords seat

Baroness Osamor who was accused of giving a 'two-fingered salute' to the Jewish community by swearing allegiance to Corbyn is admitted as a peer

Martha Osamor, a Nigerian-born British civil rights campaigner, has been nominated by Jeremy Corbyn to become a peer. Picture: Facebook

A controversial campaigner who supported activists suspended from Labour over alleged antisemitism has taken her seat in the House of Lords.

Baroness Osamor was flanked by supporters Lord Harris of Haringey and Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, as she swore the oath of allegiance to the Queen.

Her nomination by Jeremy Corbyn angered Jewish groups, who said it was a “two-fingered salute” to the community.

The civil rights campaigner signed a letter protesting over the suspensions of party members for alleged anti-Semitism, including Ken Livingstone, who was suspended over claims that Hitler supported Zionism in the 1930s.

Mr Livingstone subsequently resigned from Labour, saying the issues around his suspension had become a distraction.

Lady Osamor is the mother of Labour MP Kate Osamor, who recently stepped down from the Labour frontbench as shadow international development secretary following a row about her son’s conviction for possessing drugs.

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