Jim Sheridan suspended by Labour over comments on Jewish community

A former Labour MP has been suspended from the party over comments apparently made online about the Jewish community.

It comes after a social media post Jim Sheridan was allegedly responsible for which spoke of his loss of “respect and empathy” for the community amid the row about anti-Semitism.

The suspension of the former Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP, now a councillor in Renfrewshire, is understood to have happened on Saturday after a complaint was received.

Labour did not comment on the individual case but said all complaints of anti-Semitism are fully investigated by the party.

A 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.”

Scottish Conservative East Renfrewshire MP Paul Masterton described the online comments as “appalling” and said they show “just how deeply the problem of anti-Semitism runs in elements of the Labour Party”.