Top Labour MPs slam new Peterborough MP before she even takes her seat over 'Zionism' comments – as campaigners demand she's suspended

TOP Labour MPs today slammed their latest addition to the Commons over controversial comments she liked about "Zionism Masters".

Lisa Forbes faced a hostile reception from her new colleagues in Parliament who warn the party is turning a blind eye to anti-Semitism.

She won the seat of Peterborough last night by just 600 votes – putting Nigel Farage's Brexit Party into second place.

But Birmingham MP Jess Phillips said this morning: "The reality is I cannot be gleeful or proud as I'd want to be because of how it shows that antisemitism is becoming normal in the party.

"Lisa ignored and endorsed anti-Semitic things, I'll take her explanation and apology at face value & look forward to her proving as others have that actions not excuses alone can heal.

"But with every case the parties values chip away and our ability to stand up against hate erodes."

And Wes Streeting MP gave a strong hint he could even quit the Labour party over the row, saying it was a "reasonable question" to ask how he could stay.

He added: "I was shocked by what I read of her social media activity – it was serious enough to warrant disciplinary action.

"She will need to work hard to persuade the Jewish Labour Movement and wider community that her apology was meaningful and that she is genuinely committed to tackling anti-Semitism."

Dame Margaret Hodge, who has clashed with Jeremy Corbyn over tackling anti-Semitism, added that she had "seriously mixed feelings" about the result.

"Lisa Forbes and the Labour Party have a lot to answer for.

"We must learn lessons and never have a repeat of this. Have formally raised concerns with party leadership."

Last week it was revealed that Ms Forbes had likes a post saying Theresa May had a "Zionist Slave Masters agenda" – alongside a video of children praying after the New Zealand terror attack.

She also said on Facebook that she "enjoyed reading" a post which included claims that Islamic extremism had been created "by the CIA and Mossad" – classic anti-Semitic tropes.

Ms Forbes has since apologised and claims she didn't read the text properly.

This morning Jewish groups demanded she have the whip suspended immediately – before she's even taken her seat in Parliament.

The Jewish Labour Movement – who refused to help campaign for her in the election – said: "Given her previous rejection of the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, Ms Forbes should have the whip suspended immediately.

"This shows how urgent and necessary the EHRC's investigation into Labour's institutional racism is. The party is simply incapable of rooting out hate by itself."

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