Second Parliamentary Candidate Suspended by Labour Following Emergence of Recording

The UK’s Labour Party has suspended a second parliamentary candidate, Graham Jones, over alleged comments about Israel. Jones, the former Labour MP for Hyndburn, is also under investigation. This follows the party’s withdrawal of support for Azhar Ali, the candidate for the Rochdale by-election, over alleged antisemitic remarks. Jones was selected to contest his former Lancashire seat in the upcoming general election. The specific comments leading to his suspension have not been disclosed, but an audio recording published by the Guido Fawkes website allegedly features Jones using an expletive in reference to Israel and suggesting that Britons fighting in the Israel Defense Forces should be imprisoned. The Jewish Labour Movement described Jones’ alleged comments as “appalling and unacceptable” and expressed satisfaction at his swift suspension. The party will now undergo a formal process to remove Jones’ candidacy.