The Labour Party is under pressure after its decision last night to withdraw support for its candidate in the Rochdale by election
The move followed two of controversy after it was reported that Azhar Ali had claimed that Israel deliberately allowed 1,400 of its citizens to be massacred on October 7 in order to give it the ‘green light’ to invade Gaza
Leader Sir Kier Starmer has been criticised for sending out his cabinet to defend Rochdale’s Azhar Ali until the last possible moment and there are fears that Labour supporters will switch their allegiences to support Reform and back ex-MP Simon Danczuk or George Galloway
A Labour party spokesperson said:
“Following new information about further comments made by Azhar Ali coming to light today, the Labour party has withdrawn its support for Azhar Ali as our candidate in the Rochdale by-election.
“Keir Starmer has changed Labour so that it is unrecognisible from the party of 2019.
“We understand that these are highly unusual circumstances but it is vital that any candidate put forward by Labour fully represents its aims and values.
“Given that nominations have now closed Azhar Ali cannot be replaced as the candidate.”
It’s also understood he has been suspended by the party.
