Jeremy Corbyn accused of playing the 'victim' in Labour’s anti-Semitism row after appearing to backtrack on apologies to Jewish community

Jeremy Corbyn was accused of playing the “victim” in Labour’s anti-Semitism row yesterday as he appeared to backtrack on past apologies to the Jewish community in a “depressing and worrying” interview.

The party leader appeared to rein in his condemnation of an anti-Semitic mural, as well as apparently trying to justify his comments about some British "Zionists" not understanding “English irony”.

Mr Corbyn also declined to apologise to Jewish people when asked to do so during an appearance on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show at the start of Labour’s annual conference.

It came as Labour MPs lined up to criticise Mr Corbyn and union chiefs for failing to properly address anti-Semitism within the movement.

The MPs warned the row would cost the party the next general election as they called for Labour to send anti-Semitic activists to Auschwitz for an education and hit out at "sinister" trade union chiefs.

The comments were made at a packed Jewish Labour Movement fringe event and served as a powerful reminder of the anger felt by many MPs over the issue which has defined the party’s summer.

Previously, Mr Corbyn apologised profusely for questioning the removal of an anti-Semitic mural in east London and said it was “deeply disturbing".

On Sunday, however, Mr Corbyn did not strongly condemn the mural, which depicted Jewish financiers playing monopoly on the backs of ethnic minorities, although he acknowledged that he was "too hasty" when appearing to defend it in 2012.

"I was worried about the idea of murals being taken down,” he said. “I was perhaps too hasty in my judgement on that. But it has been taken down and I’m glad it has.”

Mr Corbyn also defended comments where he accused some British “Zionists” of not understanding “English irony”, which were widely criticised.

He said he had been trying to protect Manuel Hassassian, the Palestinian ambassador, who the people he referred to had been "incredibly disruptive" and "abusive" towards.

“I felt I should say something in his support. It was not intended to be anti-Semitic in any way,” he said.

Karen Pollock, the chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, described the interview as “depressing and worrying” as she said “there was no straight answer to any questions”.

It came as Labour MPs launched a series of stinging attacks on Mr Corbyn’s leadership over his handling of the anti-Semitism row.

Dame Louise Ellman told the Jewish Labour Movement meeting it was "disgraceful" that the row was still going on and criticised the "sinister" actions of trade union bosses.

She said: "Len McCluskey, the powerful general secretary of Unite who spoke about the Jewish community showing 'truculent hostility' - truculent hostility when we speak up against anti-Semitism being displayed against us, what's that from a major trade union leader?"

Ian Austin, who is still facing internal disciplinary action after a clash with Ian Lavery, the chairman of the party, over anti-Semitism, said: “I think that Jeremy has got to stop thinking that he is the victim in all of this and he has got to properly explain and apologise for his role and responsibility in the development of this crisis.”

Rosie Duffield, another Labour MP, said the party should send activists who share anti-Semitic tropes online to Auschwitz to learn about the horrors of the Holocaust.

Meanwhile, Wes Streeting said: “There are not enough Jewish voters to cost Labour the next general election but there are enough decent people in this country who are so appalled and offended by racism that they will never elect to a government of this country a party that is so indifferent to or complicit in racism of any kind so let’s get our house in order.”

Mr Corbyn did not attend the Jewish Labour Movement event. He was pictured later that day at the "Peace in Yemen" vigil, where speakers included Eddie Izzard, the comedian.