Anti-Semitism row Bradford councillor quits Labour

Coun Khadim Hussain claimed he was leaving the party because of its failure to respond to his defence against the allegations levelled last week.

Labour had suspended Coun Hussain and launched an inquiry after attention was drawn to posts on his Facebook page.

The Keighley Central councillor has denied suggestions he is anti-Semitic and insisted he was standing up for human rights.

In a statement Coun Hussain said it was his “professional and personal obligation to stand side by side with those who continue to suffer”.

He continued: “I believed the essence of the Labour Party was to bring social equality and social justice in every part of our society.

“However, I believe these Labour values have been lost within the local Labour Council and in many ways the local implementation of what Jeremy Corbyn has been striving to achieve have again been lost.

“If my stance of human rights, regardless of where in the world the suffering takes place, compromises my position in the party or the local council then I will absolutely stand on the side of justice.”

It is understood his suspension would have prevented Coun Hussain, a former Lord Mayor of Bradford, defending his council seat at May’s local elections.