Ken Livingstone quits Labour Party after alleged anti-Semitism becomes 'distraction'

Ken Livingstone has resigned from the Labour Party, saying the issues around his suspension for anti-Semitism had become a distraction.

In a statement, the former London mayor, who was suspended in 2016 for claiming Hitler supported Zionism in the 1930s, said he was leaving with "great sadness".

He said that he continued to reject the allegation that he had brought the party into disrepute and insisted he was in no way guilty of anti-Semitism."After much consideration, I have decided to resign from the Labour Party," he said.

While Mr Livingstone rejected the charge of anti-Semitism, he acknowledged some of his comments had caused offence in the Jewish community, for which he was "truly sorry".