UK's Labour Party suspends 2nd parliamentary candidate over anti-Israel remarks

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Britain’s Labour Party has suspended a second parliamentary candidate for anti-Israel remarks, landing itself in another controversy.

According to local media, Graham Jones, the candidate for Hyndburn, has been suspended less than 24 hours after the party withdrew its support from Azhar Ali, its candidate for the Rochdale by-election later this month, party sources revealed Tuesday.

The fallout from the leak of a private meeting of party activists in Lancashire last year in which both Jones and Ali made anti-Israel comments has placed Labour Party leader Keir Starmer in a challenging position as he seeks to contain the repercussions from the controversial statements.

Despite mounting pressure and criticism, Starmer staunchly defended his decisions on Tuesday.

His defense came in the wake of a damaging 48 hours characterized by the initial backing of Ali followed by a dramatic reversal as new recordings surfaced from the pivotal meeting.