Over recent times, and recent weeks especially, the Labour Representation Committee (LRC), once a relatively lively and open group of the Labour left, has descended into little more than a Jackie Walker fan club, a cult dedicated to the denial of antisemitism.
Over the weekend 4-5 January, it has crossed the line. Its Facebook account, having previously posted conspiratorial crap and posts about violent, right-wing Jew-hate being the only “real” antisemitism, shared content by Laura Stuart, a far-right activist who has circulated racist material including from David Duke of the Ku Klux Klan.
When challenged, LRC took down the post but then denied ever posting it and accused those who called them out of fabricating it.
On 6 January LRC issued an apology, but although it claims that the offending posts have been taken down, several are still there.
The apology is weak and inadequate, arguing that this was a mistake that came about because their more sensible people were on holiday.
Activists are calling for John McDonnell, who still holds the post of president of the LRC, to break that connection.
