Andrew Neil interview: Jeremy Corbyn refuses to apologise four times over anti-Semitism claims

Bronwen Weatherby27 November 2019
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Jeremy Corbyn has refused to apologise to British Jews amid criticism of Labour’s handling of anti-Semitism, but vowed to make society "safe for people of all faiths".

The Labour leader declined to apologise four times to the Jewish community as he was questioned on the BBC on Tuesday.

He also hit out at the Chief Rabbi, who today claimed "a new poison" had "taken root" within the party, saying he was wrong to accuse Labour of failing to tackle anti-semitism.

Mr Corbyn was quizzed by Andrew Neil on Brexit, his tax plans and borrowing as part of a series of BBC interviews with those vying to become the next prime minister.

But much of Tuesday’s discussion with The Andrew Neil Interviews focused on anti-Semitism after Ephraim Mirvis’s unprecedented intervention warning Mr Corbyn was unfit to lead the nation.

Jeremy Corbyn being interviewed by Andrew Neil on BBC
PA

Mr Corbyn said: “I’m looking forward to having a discussion with him because I want to hear why he would say such a thing.”

The Labour leader was challenged over Rabbi Mirvis’s allegation that Labour’s claims it is doing everything to tackle anti-Jewish racism was a “mendacious fiction”.

“No, he’s not right. Because he would have to produce the evidence to say that’s mendacious,” Mr Corbyn replied.

He insisted he has “developed a much stronger process” and had sanctioned and removed members who have been anti-Semitic.

Andrew Neil speaking to Jeremy Corbyn in a series of interviews with those vying for Prime Minister
PA

Mr Corbyn also denied that the blight increased after he took over the party, saying: “It didn’t rise after I became leader.

“Anti-Semitism is there in society, there are a very, very small number of people in the Labour Party that have been sanctioned as a result about their anti-Semitic behaviour.”

But he repeatedly refused to apologise when asked by Mr Neil.

Instead, Mr Corbyn said he was determined that "society will be safe for people of all faiths".

"I don't want anyone to be feeling insecure in our society and our government will protect every community," he added.

"We will not allow anti-Semitism in any form in our society because it is poisonous and divisive, just as much as Islamophobia or far-right racism is,” Mr Corbyn said.

Mr Neil added: "So, no apology. I've asked you if you wanted to apologise and you haven't."

While, the broadcaster tried to move on to talk about Brexit, Mr Corbyn said: "Can I just make it clear, racism in our society is a total poison. Be it Islamophobia, anti-Semitism or any other form of racism.

"I want to work with every community to eliminate it. That's what my whole life has been about," he said.

Mr Corbyn's party has been plagued by allegations of anti-Semitism over the last three years sparking an investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and leading to the suspension of high-profile figures such as Ken Livingstone and Chris Williamson.

Writing in The Times on Tuesday, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis claimed "a new poison" had "taken root" in the Labour party.

He wrote: “The way in which the [Labour] leadership has dealt with anti-Jewish racism is incompatible with the British values of which we are so proud — of dignity and respect for all people."

He added: “When December 12 arrives, I ask every person to vote with their conscience. Be in no doubt, the very soul of our nation is at stake.”

Chief rabbi Ephraim Mirvis condemned Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn over his perceived lack of action over allegations of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party
PA

During the BBC interview, Mr Corbyn was also pressed over his plan to broker a “credible” Leave deal with the EU and then be neutral in a referendum along with Remain within six months of taking power.

“I will be the honest broker that will make sure the referendum is fair and make sure that the Leave deal is a credible one,” he said.

“That seems to me actually an adult and sensible way to go forward.”

But Mr Corbyn was unable to say who would campaign for his Brexit deal, with much of his shadow cabinet eager to campaign for Remain.

On his taxation plans, Mr Corbyn denied that a significant part his income tax base would leave the country if he took power.

“No, it doesn’t crumble at all,” he said. “They can see all around them the crumbling of public services and the terrible levels of child poverty that exist across Britain.

“There is no reason why they would have to leave the country and they shouldn’t.”

He was quizzed over how he would increase borrowing.

“We are not going to willy-nilly borrow, what we are going to do is deal with the worst aspects of what’s happened in austerity, the worst aspects of poverty in Britain,” he said.

Mr Corbyn declined to say for certain whether he would give the orders to take out any new leader of so-called Islamic State (IS) if it was not possible to arrest them.

“I will take the appropriate decision at the appropriate time with all the information, you asked me a hypothetical question in a hypothetical scenario,” he said.

Mr Corbyn stressed it was essential to look “to the future” and at how IS formed and spread, adding: “We also have to look at how we created these dangers as well.”

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