Ex-Hollyoaks star John Davies suspended by Labour over ‘vile’ attack on Jewish MPs
AN EX HOLLYOAKS star has been suspended by Labour over “vile” attacks on Jewish MPs.
John Davies, who played Les Hunter in the TV show, said the anti-Semitism crisis ripping Labour apart was a “witch-hunt”.
And he said the “prime interests” of Jewish Labour MP Ruth Smeeth were not in Jeremy Corbyn’s party.
Mr Davies, who uses the alias Johnny Beggs, tore into her for making complaints of anti-Semitism against Marc Wadsworth, who was kicked out of the party over them.
According to the Jewish Chronicle, he wrote online that Ms Smeeth worked for an “Israel advocacy group.”
He added: “She either lied about Marc Wadsworth or has hearing difficulties — nothing Marc said was remotely anti-Semitic.
“Her prime interests are neither socialism nor the Labour Party — they lie elsewhere.”
He also reportedly said that Luciana Berger, who quit Labour over the racism crisis, was more interested in “damaging Corbyn” than challenging anti-Semitism.
Ms Smeeth furiously hit back: “I have been a Labour member since I was a teenager.
“This man and his vile views have no place in the party that I have dedicated my life too.
“These traditional anti-Jewish tropes about duel loyalty are simply unacceptable—the Labour Party needs to take action.”
Mr Davies wrote on Facebook this evening: “I will fight my suspension, which is only partial, and challenge the usual concoction of lies and distortions.”
The revelation piles yet more pressure on Mr Corbyn who has been accused of standing back and doing nothing while anti-Jew racism sweeps through his party.
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A Labour spokesman said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints of anti-Semitism extremely seriously and we are committed to challenging and campaigning against it in all its forms.
“All complaints about anti-Semitism are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.”
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