Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn launches independent inquiry into anti-Semitism

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has announced that an independent inquiry will take place into anti-Semitism and other forms of racism within the party. The probe will be led by Shami Chakrabarti, former head of campaign group Liberty, who will consult with the Jewish community and other minority groups.

Corbyn has also announced plans to propose a new "code of conduct" on racism when the national executive committee meets in May this year. The code of conduct is set to include guidance on "acceptable behaviour and use of language".

The probe follows the suspension of MP Naz Shah and ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone amid anti-Semitism claims. Shah apologised after making anti-Semitic statements on social media, whilst Livingstone made comments about Adolf Hitler being a "Zionist".

The new "code of conduct" will make it "explicitly clear for the first time" that the party will not tolerate any form of racism among its members.

"Labour is an anti-racist party to its core and has a long and proud history of standing against racism, including antisemitism. I have campaigned against racism all my life and the Jewish community has been at the heart of the Labour party and progressive politics in Britain for more than 100 years," Corbyn was quoted as saying by the Guardian, on 29 April.

"We have taken decisive action over allegations of anti-Semitism since I became leader, suspending all those involved from membership, and have set up an inquiry under Baroness Royall into reports of anti-Semitism in the Oxford University Labour club and elsewhere."

He added: "There is no place for anti-Semitism or any form of racism in the Labour party, or anywhere in society, and we will make sure that our party is a welcoming home to members of all communities."

Corbyn has faced sustained calls to banish his long-time ally from the party whilst the former London Mayor was lambasted by his own party members who called him a "Nazi apologist". Refusing to apologise, Livingstone called for a Labour inquiry to reinstate him.

"Everything I said yesterday was true and I will be presenting the academic book about that to the Labour Party inquiry," he said, speaking to the Evening Standard.

He claimed he had first made the same comments about Hitler being a Zionist 30 years ago which was known to party members. London mayor hopeful Sadiq Khan also called for his sacking from the party, along with some members of the shadow cabinet.

The inquiry is set to last two months.