Theresa May names Labour critic of Jeremy Corbyn, John Mann, as government adviser on anti-Semitism

A Labour MP who is a fierce critic of party leader Jeremy Corbyn was today appointed government adviser on anti-Semitism by Theresa May in one of her final acts as Prime Minister.

John Mann, who is chair of a cross-party group of MPs tackling anti-Semitism, was described by Mrs May as a “key voice” on the issue.

Mr Mann was filmed confronting former London mayor Ken Livingstone in 2016 over his comments that Hitler supported Zionism. He has also been critical of suspended Labour MP Chris Williamson, who said the party had been too apologetic over anti-Semitism.

Mrs May today also appointed an independent adviser to help devise a formal working definition of Islamophobia. Imam Qari Asim, deputy chair of the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, will work with Communities Secretary James Brokenshire.

The timing of the appointments raises questions about whether they are an attempt by Mrs May to influence her successor, Boris Johnson, on her last full day in office. On the new adviser on anti-Semitism, Mrs May said: “John Mann is, without exception, a key voice on this matter. He has frequently campaigned in the House of Commons on this issue and has tirelessly used his role as a politician to speak out on behalf of victims of anti-Jewish racism.”

Mr Mann, MP for Bassetlaw, said: “If we stay silent on the issue of anti-Semitism, we unwittingly allow cowardice and bigotry to speak its own repulsive language.”

Mr Asim is senior imam at Makkah Mosque in Leeds. The need for a formal definition of Islamophobia came about after questions were raised about a definition being used by the all party parliamentary group. Some have said it could potentially prevent legitimate criticism of Islamist extremism.

Fresh demands were made today for Mr Corbyn to make investigations into alleged anti-Semitism by Labour members fully independent. Deputy chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party Ruth Smeeth said only an independent process would “restore faith” in how the party handles complaints.

The shadow cabinet yesterday decided not to fully endorse an independent complaints procedure and instead refer cases to panels made up of members of Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee.

Ms Smeeth, who is Jewish, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The proposals sanctioned by the shadow cabinet that will be discussed today at the NEC just simply aren’t good enough.”

She said an independent investigatory panel could be made up of former trade unionists, ex-police and lawyers.

Labour sources said the panels proposed yesterday would allow for speedier removal of anti-Semites. The package would need to be approved by the Labour conference in the autumn.