Eddie Izzard calls for Labour to 'stamp out' anti-Semitism

The comedian Eddie Izzard, newly appointed to Labour's ruling body, has said the party must "stamp out completely the stain of anti-Semitism".

His comments came as Labour distanced itself from a series of controversial pro-Jeremy Corbyn Facebook groups.

A report published in the Sunday Times claims to have uncovered more than 2,000 anti-Semitic, racist or abusive comments in them.

A Labour spokesman said the groups are not connected to the party in any way.

Mr Izzard was appointed to Labour's National Executive Committee after the resignation of his predecessor, who had been caught up in the growing anti-Semitism row.

"This is a very important time for the Labour Party and we must stamp out completely the stain of anti-Semitism from a minority of members. It has no place in our party," Mr Izzard said.

"We must make amends and repair the damage with the Jewish community as Jeremy Corbyn has promised to do."

The Sunday Times report is the result of a two-month investigation into the 20 biggest pro-Corbyn Facebook groups.

Among the messages was praise for Adolf Hitler and threats to kill Prime Minister Theresa May, the paper said.

Meanwhile, one of Labour's biggest private donors has told the Observer he has left the party over its failure to deal with "the most blatant acts of anti-Semitism".

Sir David Garrard, who has donated £1.5 million to Labour since 2003, told the paper: "I have watched with dismay and foreboding the manner in which the leadership has, in my view, over the last two years, conducted itself."

No let-up for Labour

Jonathan Blake, BBC political correspondent

With negative stories on the front pages of at least four newspapers, this is not a happy Easter Sunday for Labour.

The online abuse highlighted by the Sunday Times investigation shows a problem the party has with a relatively small number of people willing to use racism, misogyny and threats of violence in support of Jeremy Corbyn.

Labour has denounced the behaviour and distanced itself from the groups.

Mr Corbyn has condemned, criticised and apologised time and time again.

But after a bad week for the party, things have not improved.

The leader has admitted that Labour must "do better" in tackling anti-Semitism, but with no apparent quick fix at hand and no let-up in accusations, he has some way to go to convince everyone in his party that he has a grip on the problem.

The Sunday Times says the Facebook groups covered in its report have a membership of around 400,000 people including 12 senior staff working for Mr Corbyn and shadow chancellor John McDonnell.

Comments in the groups show members advocating violence, reports the paper.

It also said it found messages comparing the Conservatives to Nazis and suggesting a journalist should be killed.

Writing in the newspaper, Jewish Labour MP Luciana Berger said she had received an email from someone who claimed to be a party member telling her she should kill herself.

She had also been called "Judas", "a venal piece of detritus", a "Zionazi" and an "absolute parasite."

The organisation Jewish Voice for Labour said the groups highlighted by the Sunday Times did not represent the party.

"We would never tolerate such posts among our members, nor any form of racism or other bigotry," a spokesman said.

Luciana Berger spoke at a protest against anti-Semitism in the party on Monday

A spokesman for the Labour Party said: "These groups are not run by the Labour Party or officially connected to the party in any way."

Labour also told the Sunday Times that no-one in Mr Corbyn or Mr McDonnell's offices has seen, posted or endorsed anti-Semitic or abusive messages.

The BBC understands that Mr Corbyn has since deleted his personal Facebook account, although his Facebook Page, a separate type of account for public figures and organisations, remains active.

It is understood that Mr Corbyn was concerned about being added to groups without his knowledge, and the potential security risk of having a personal account.

The latest allegations mark a deepening in the row over anti-Semitism in the Labour Party which has dogged Mr Corbyn for the past week.

• What's the difference between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism?

• How the Labour anti-Semitism saga unfolded

• Jeremy Corbyn and Labour's anti-Semitism issue

It erupted when Mr Corbyn himself was criticised for opposing the removal of an anti-Semitic mural in east London in 2012.

On Saturday, senior Labour official Christine Shawcroft resigned from the party's ruling body, the National Executive Committee, and was replaced by Mr Izzard, who had been runner-up when she was elected last year.

It had emerged that she had opposed the suspension of a council candidate accused of denying the Holocaust.

In a statement Mr Izzard said: "Although this isn't the manner in which I had hoped to join the NEC I'm honoured to step up and represent Labour members at the heart of our party."

On Friday Mr Corbyn admitted Labour must "do better" over its handling of anti-Semitism.