Jeremy Corbyn: Labour aims to set the gold standard for anti-racism

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has underlined the party's zero-tolerance approach to racism at the launch of a report into anti-Semitism and Islamophobia within the party.

"Under my leadership, the Labour Party will not allow hateful language or debate in person, online or anywhere else," he said.

"We will aim to set the gold standard not just for anti-racism but for a genuinely welcoming environment for all communities and for the right to disagree as well."

The review, carried out by Shami Chakrabarti, found that the Labour Party "is not overrun by anti-Semitism, Islamophobia or other forms of racism".

Mr Corbyn said reflection was needed on the "hateful language" used during the EU referendum campaign by prominent Conservative and Ukip politicians.

"Boris Johnson compared Hitler's murderous tyranny with the European project created from its ashes," he said.

"These are hateful comments - no question. The people of Britain - and especially the young - need a strong, united, principled and kind Labour Party more than ever."

Mr Corbyn said he would recommend the findings of the report to the Labour Party, and "put my weight behind its immediate implementation".

Ms Chakrabarti's recommendations include:

  • "Procedural rule changes" to improve the party's disciplinary process

  • The Labour Party should resist the use of Hitler, Nazi and Holocaust metaphors, distortion and comparisons in debates about Israel and Palestine in particular

  • There should be no denial, approval or minimisation of the Holocaust and attempts to blur responsibility for it in the Labour Party

  • The power of interim suspension should be vested in Labour's National Constitutional Committee

Mr Corbyn also pledged to improve the representation of black and ethnic minority people at all levels within the Labour Party.

Labour launched an inquiry into anti-Semitism, racism and Islamophobia within the party after a number of high-profile Labour politicians including former London mayor Ken Livingstone were suspended for alleged anti-Semitic remarks.