Walsall Labour sees mass resignations amid antisemitism scandals

They have blamed Labour's position on the Israel-Hamas war for their quitting the party.

In a lengthy joint statement, the six councillors said: “We are saddened to inform you that we will be resigning from the Labour Party immediately due to Keir Starmer refusing to back and vote for a ceasefire in Gaza.”

They added: “The failure of the Labour leadership to demand a ceasefire, recognise that the Israeli forces are committing an act of Genocide and demanding that action is taken against Benjamin Netanyahu and his commanders is unacceptable.”

But a source close to Walsall Council told GB News: “Two local Labour Councillors have resigned after being suspended by their Party in the past few weeks. Now this group, some of whom are under investigation by Labour, have decided to resign too.

“I don’t believe this has anything to do with their principles. I think it has everything to do with wanting to say what they like, how they like and without the fear of being held to account.”

Aftab Nawaz has quit amid a Labour Party investigation after GB News exposed his alleged sectarian chanting against a minority Muslim group in the West Midlands town earlier this year.

The fresh resignations come after deputy leader Khizar Hussain and shadow cabinet member Hajran Bashir both quit following GB News reports into their social media conduct.

This broadcaster revealed highly controversial social media posts made by the pair, which the Campaign Against Antisemitism described as “abhorrent.”

Hussain allegedly compared Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Hitler; Bashir allegedly drew links between Israel’s foundation and actions with those of Nazi Germany.

Both posts breached Labour’s antisemitism policy.

Bashir and Hussain both quit the party hours after they were administratively suspended for investigation.

Bashir attempted to backdate her resignation to before the posts were revealed by GB News, but a Labour source rubbished the move.

Hussain did not mention his suspension or the alleged social media post in his lengthy resignation letter.

A local Labour official, who asked to remain anonymous, told GB News: “These resignations are regrettable but not surprising.

"It is disappointing that people who have worked and been elected on a Labour platform to represent the whole of their communities are resigning over an issue that while provoking passions within the Muslim community does not necessarily represent the whole of that community or indeed, the wards they represent.

They added: “They should test their stances in a by-election.”