A ROOT and branch investigation into allegations of anti-semitism within Labour found yesterday that such forms of prejudice are not rife within the party — but warns there is an “occasionally toxic atmosphere.”

An inquiry chaired by high-profile civil rights campaigner Shami Chakrabarti found the Labour Party “is not overrun by anti-semitism, Islamophobia or other forms of racism.”

But Labour members should “resist the use of Hitler, nazi and Holocaust metaphors,” it said.

The inquiry made 20 recommendations however saying there was “too much clear evidence … of ignorant attitudes” within the party.

The probe was announced following the suspension of Bradford West MP Naz Shah and ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone amid a furore over alleged anti-semitic comments made by the pair.

Ms Shah was suspended after social media posts emerged in which she suggested Israel should be moved to the United States.

Mr Livingstone was then suspended after claiming Hitler supported zionism, as he tried to defend Ms Shah. No update on these cases were given as Ms Chakrabarti said due process must be followed.

Speaking following the publication of the inquiry report, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said there was no acceptable form of racism.

Putting his weight behind the inquiry’s immediate implementation, Mr Corbyn said: “Under my leadership the Labour Party will not allow hateful language or debate in person, online, or anywhere else.

“We will aim to set the gold standard, not just for anti-racism, but for a genuinely welcoming environment for all communities and for the right to disagree as well.

“Racism is racism is racism. There is no hierarchy, no acceptable form of it.”

He called for an end to Hitler and nazi metaphors and comparisons between different human rights atrocities.

“Diluting degrees of evil does no good,” he said.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign welcomed the report.

Interim director Sara Apps said: “This is a sensible report, and we welcome its recommendations. We particularly welcome the fact that legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies with regard to the Palestinians and the occupation have not been conflated with anti-semitism.” 

Meanwhile in a sign of the continued rifts within the party, Labour MP Ruth Smeeth stormed out of the press conference after being accused of colluding with the Daily Telegraph.

Marc Wadsworth, who runs Momentum Black Connexions, claimed that Ms Smeeth, who is Jewish, was “working hand in hand” with the newspaper. Ms Smeeth subsequently accused him of alluding to conspiracy theories about Jewish media ownership. 

Mr Wadsworth denied this yesterday, saying he had no idea what her background was and he didn’t believe Jewish people run the media. The former Anti-Racist Alliance leader said: “I’m not anti-semitic, indeed I have fought against it all my life. “