General election 2019: Chief Rabbi attacks Labour anti-Semitism record (but, of course, not Israel's anti-Arab record)
'The Chief Rabbi has strongly criticised Labour, claiming the party is not doing enough to root out anti-Jewish racism - and asked people to "vote with their conscience" in the general election.
In the Times, Ephraim Mirvis said "a new poison - sanctioned from the very top - has taken root" in the party.
Labour's claim it had investigated all cases of anti-Semitism in its ranks was a "mendacious fiction", he added.
Jeremy Corbyn says Labour is tackling anti-Semitism by expelling members.
It comes as Labour launches a "race and faith manifesto", which aims to improve protections for all faiths and tackle prejudice.
'Gripped by anxiety'
In the article, the Orthodox Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - who is the spiritual leader of the United Synagogue, the largest umbrella group of Jewish communities in the country - says raising his concerns "ranks among the most painful moments I have experienced since taking office".
But he claims "the overwhelming majority of British Jews are gripped by anxiety" at the prospect of a Labour victory in 12 December's general election.
He writes: "The way in which the leadership of the Labour Party has dealt with anti-Jewish racism is incompatible with the British values of which we are so proud - of dignity and respect for all people.
"It has left many decent Labour members and parliamentarians, both Jewish and non-Jewish, ashamed of what has transpired."
He adds that it was "not my place to tell any person how they should vote" but he urged the public to "vote with their conscience".
The Chief Rabbi - who has been a persistent critic of Labour's response to anti-Semitism allegations - claims the response of Labour's leadership to threats against parliamentarians, members and staff has been "utterly inadequate" and says it "can no longer claim to be the party of equality and anti-racism".
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