Sandwell councillor in anti-Semitism probe

Greets Green and Lyng councillor John Edwards posted tweets criticising his party's adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism.

He also dismissed criticism of suspended Labour MP Chris Williamson as an "outrageous smear campaign".

Labour Against Antisemitism activist Saul Freeman flagged up the tweets, which included one from 2014 which he sent to to then-Prime Minister David Cameron after he visited to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

Mr Edwards wrote: "When you leave Auschwitz @David_Cameron go to Gaza."

Mr Freeman said in response: "This poisonous tweet by a Labour councillor is a clear breach of the IHRA definition and seeks to draw a direct equivalence between the Holocaust and the Israel/Palestine conflict."

In 2017, Mr Edwards shared an article from pro-Corbyn group Jewish Voice for Labour which claimed an "outrageous smear campaign" had been launched against Derby MP Chris Williamson, who was criticised for saying there were "lies and dirty tricks" around the "anti-Semitism smears".

Mr Williamson was suspended by Labour earlier this year after he told activists that his party had been "too apologetic" over its anti-Semitism issue, which has seen dozens of allegations made against members.

A Labour source told the Express & Star that the party had started a formal investigation over the comments.

Euan Philipps, spokesman for Labour Against Antisemitism, said: "Labour Councillor John Edwards has reportedly promoted views which are anti-Semitism and which should have no place in British politics.

"The body of evidence against him is damning and overwhelming. We therefore call for his immediate suspension by the Labour Party and hope that his case can be expedited so he can be expelled as quickly as possible."

A Labour Party spokesperson, said: "The Labour Party takes all complaints of anti-Semitism extremely seriously and we are committed to challenging and campaigning against it in all its forms. All complaints about anti-Semitism are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken."

Mr Edwards was first elected in 1978 and is chair of West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority.

He told the Express & Star: "Unlike other people I never comment to the press about internal Labour Party matters."

Sandwell MP Tom Watson has vowed to deal with anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, amid claims that Jeremy Corbyn had failed to deal effectively address the issue.