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Jo Bird reinstated into the Labour Party

JEWISH councillor Jo Bird has had her Labour Party membership reinstated after an investigation cleared her of any wrongdoing.

Ms Bird, who represents Bromborough in Merseyside, was suspended after a recording emerged of her calling for the halting of Labour’s disciplinary hearings into anti-semitism cases until “due process has been established.”

She added, jokingly: “It’s what I call a Jew process.”

Ms Bird subsequently received streams of abuse on social media, including death threats.

At a speech at Wirral Council a fortnight ago, she read out messages sent to her in which she was called a “nazi,” “manipulative,” and was told: “It’s time for Jews to leave the country.”

A Labour source told the Star that Ms Bird’s suspension has been lifted but that she was formally warned over her remarks.

Commenting on her suspension Ms Bird said she had a “self-deprecating sense of humour” and clarified: “I am sorry for any offence caused by my play on words.”

Jewish Socialists’ Group representative David Rosenberg told the Star: “We are pleased that Jo Bird has been reinstated.

“As far as we can see her pun – ‘Jew process’ – was actually a positive statement about Jewish values of social justice.

“We are worried about rising numbers of suspensions.

“The Chakrabarti report promoted natural justice and prioritised using education over heavy-handed disciplinary measure in investigating and dealing with complaints.

“We support those aims.”

A Labour spokesperson said: “All complaints about anti-semitism are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.”

 
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