The conversation with Laura Farris then turns to news Labour has suspended another parliamentary candidate over alleged anti-Israel remarks.
She said: “Any discrimination by somebody who is either a public official or seeking elected office is completely, completely untenable, and it’s completely inconsistent with holding any kind of public office.”
Ms Farris said it is “reasonable” to “look at what’s happened with the candidate in Rochdale and with the parliamentary candidate in Hyndburn” because, although there are “strong views” on Israel and Gaza, “they were saying far more than that”.
The minister said it “blows my mind that it took the leader of the Labour Party nearly 72 hours” to react to allegations against the candidate for Rochdale.
However, it did not take Sir Keir 72 hours to react to the allegations against Mr Ali.
The first report of his remarks emerged on Saturday evening and Labour withdrew its support for Mr Ali around 48 hours later on Monday.
Asked how Rishi Sunak would respond to similar views in his party, Ms Farris said she would expect him to act “swiftly and decisively”.
“There is no room for any… discriminatory attitudes, they are completely unacceptable.”
‘This is not a party of saints’: Labour frontbencher refuses to deny antisemitism an issue for party
Kay Burley asked Labour frontbencher John Healey this morning how the Jewish community can trust his party.
He said: “Retaining the trust of the Jewish community and community is a constant process and Keir Starmer is deeply aware of that.
“He pledged to root out antisemitism as part of the changes he wanted to make to Labour {and] regarded them as essential.
“He’s done that. But this is not a party or people who are saints.
“As I say, when people do things that may be wrong, say things that may be unacceptable. The important thing is how does the party respond.”
Kay asks if antisemitism is still a problem for Labour in 2024.
He says: “Antisemitism is still a problem throughout our country.”
She asks again.
“Wherever there is evidence that there may be antisemitic comments or actions, we will investigate,” Mr Healey says.
“We can’t guarantee that no one connected to the Labour Party will ever express something that is wrong or unacceptable.
“What we can guarantee is that if that happens, we will investigate and when necessary we will take action.”
Third Labour politician ‘spoken to’ over meeting at centre of antisemitism row
Another Labour politician attended a meeting of activists that has become the centre of an antisemitism row within the party, MEZIESBLOG understands.
Hyndburn councillor Munsif Dad is thought to have attended the gathering where two parliamentary candidates are alleged to have made antisemitic remarks.
On Monday, Labour withdrew support from and suspended Azhar Ali, who was standing under their banner at the upcoming Rochdale by-election, after he allegedly blamed “people in the media from certain Jewish quarters” for fuelling criticism of a pro-Palestinian Labour MP.
He also claimed Israel planned to “get rid of [Palestinians] from Gaza” and “grab” some of the land during discussions at the meeting.
Then on Tuesday, former Labour MP for Hyndburn, Graham Jones – who is seeking to stand for the seat again at the next election – was suspended after allegedly referring to “f***ing Israel” at the same gathering, and saying UK citizens who volunteer to fight for the Israeli Defence Forces “should be locked up”.
MEZIESBLOG understands Mr Dad has been “spoken to” by Labour officials, but it is not yet clear if he made any contribution to the gathering and no further action has been taken.
Mr Dad and the Labour Party have been contacted for comment.
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