Labour slammed over Shami Chakrabarti Lords nomination

Jeremy Corbyn has come under fire from the Jewish community and Labour MPs after nominating the head of his anti-Semitism inquiry to the House of Lords.

Shami Chakrabarti, former Liberty chief, faced questions about her independence during the inquiry after she revealed that she had become a member of the Labour party.

The Chief Rabbi has said her report's reputation "lies in tatters" following her appointment to the Lords, just a month after the controversial inquiry found the party "was not overrun" by racism and anti-semitism.

Ephraim Mirvis said in a statement on Twitter: "Shami Chakrabarti has a proud record of public service, but in accepting this peerage, the credibility of her report lies in tatters and the Labour Party's stated intention, to unequivocally tackle anti-Semitism, remains woefully unrealised."

Labour MPs also expressed concern over the appointment.

Wes Streeting, MP for Ilford North, said: "Shami Chakrabarti will bring great experience to Lords. But let's not pretend that a Labour peerage in these circumstances doesn't stink."

A spokesman for Jeremy Corbyn said that she shares Mr Corbyn's ambition for reform of the Lords, and that her legal and campaigning skills would be a "considerable asset" to the Lords.

Ms Chakrabarti said she was "honoured" to have been nominated for the peerage.

Marie van der Zyl, vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said it was "beyond disappointing" that Ms Chakrabarti had been offered and accepted the title.

"This 'whitewash for peerages' is a scandal that surely raises serious questions about the integrity of Ms Chakrabarti, her inquiry and the Labour leadership," she said.

Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney and Shadow Secretary for Health said on Twitter it is "wrong" to question Ms Chakrabarti's integrity.