Rochdale by-election: Keir Starmer insists he took 'decisive' action and says Labour 'has changed'
manchestereveningnews.co.ukSir Keir Starmer has said he took “tough” and “decisive” action to withdraw support for Labour’s Rochdale by-election candidate, after a storm of criticism about remarks Azhar Ali made about Israel.
The Labour leader insisted the party had “changed” under his leadership after it was confirmed on Monday evening (February 12) that Mr Ali, who is understood to be suspended pending an investigation, would have Labour’s backing withdrawn.
Mr Ali had apologised after he was recorded in a meeting of the Lancashire Labour Party suggesting that Israel had taken the October 7 Hamas assault as a pretext to invade Gaza.
But Labour said it moved to end its backing of the candidate “following new information about further comments”. Speaking as he campaigned in Wellingborough, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Certain information came to light over the weekend in relation to the candidate.
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