ACTOR Maxine Peake made a surprise intervention in Labour’s anti-semitism row yesterday, launching a staunch defence of the party and “unflappable” leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The socialist screen and stage star, who supported Mr Corbyn’s leadership campaign, praised the way he has handled difficult situations since being elected last summer.

Mr Corbyn used his speech to London’s May Day rally to say that Labour is “united” against all forms of anti-semitism and racism.

And speaking from an event to promote Britain in Los Angeles, Ms Peake said: “There are constant attacks on the Labour Party, but I think he’s holding his own.

“Support for him is still very strong. He appears unflappable. He’s a man of the people and I think people can see the Tory attacks.”

Vocal support from Ms Peake, best known for her starring role in gritty TV sitcom Shameless, is a timely boost for Mr Corbyn as he seeks to resolve the anti-semitism allegations that could distract from Labour’s election campaign.

It emerged last week that before joining Labour, Bradford West MP Naz Shah had shared an allegedly anti-semitic post online. Former mayor of London Ken Livingstone clumsily highlighted links between the nazis and zionists in his attempts to defend her. Both were suspended from the party.

Labour has further acted swiftly to suspend Nottingham city councillor Ilyas Aziz and Blackburn with Darwen councillor Salim Mulla over social media posts relating to Israel.

Ms Peake said she did not consider Mr Livingstone’s comments anti-semitic but said: “I think there’s certain issues you have to be very, very careful about.”

And she dismissed suggestions it was an institutional problem in the Labour Party, saying: “I wouldn’t support a party that was anti-semitic.

“I’ve always been very open. I’m very pro-Palestine and anti the occupation, but that doesn’t make me anti-semitic. Not at all.

“I think sometimes wires get crossed with people just wanting human rights for people rather than it being about another race and not liking them or not.”