LABOUR leader Sir Keir Starmer has sacked an MP with ties to west Belfast for sharing an article containing an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory.
Rebecca Long-Bailey, whose father is from Anderstownstown, retweeted an interview with actor and Labour supporter Maxine Peake.
A spokesman for Sir Keir Starmer confirmed Ms Long-Bailey had been asked to step down from the shadow cabinet.
"The article Rebecca shared earlier today contained an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory," he said.
"As leader of the Labour Party, Keir has been clear that restoring trust with the Jewish community is a number one priority. Anti-Semitism takes many different forms and it is important that we all are vigilant against it."
Ms Long-Bailey later tweeted that while she shared the interview, its main thrust was anger with the Conservative government's handling of the current emergency and a call for Labour Party unity.
"In no way was my retweet an intention to endorse every part of that article," she said.
"I wished to acknowledge these concerns and duly issued a clarification of my retweet, with the wording agreed in advance by the Labour Party leader's office, but after posting I was subsequently instructed to take both this agreed clarification and my original retweet down.
"I could not do this in good conscience without the issuing of a press statement of clarification. I had asked to discuss these matters with Keir before agreeing what further action to take, but sadly he had already made his decision."
Marie van der Zyl, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, thanked Keir Starmer for his "swift action".
"After Rebecca Long-Bailey shared a conspiracy theory, we and others gave her the opportunity to retract and apologise," she said.
"To our surprise and dismay, her response was pathetic. Her position as shadow education secretary was therefore untenable."
