By AFPMore by this AuthorLONDONA ninth lawmaker quit Britain's main opposition Labour Party on Friday, blaming leader Jeremy Corbyn's handling of accusations of anti-Semitism within its ranks. Ian Austin's resignation adds to a mounting rebellion against Corbyn after the defections earlier this week of eight Labour MPs over the issues of anti-Semitism and Brexit. Austin said he was "appalled at the offence and distress Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party have caused to Jewish people" and that he had become "ashamed" of its conduct under the left-wing opposition leader. REBELSEarlier this week eight Labour MPs, and then three from the governing Conservative party, formed a new centrist block in parliament, in the biggest split in British politics since 1981. However, Austin, an MP since 2005 who has said Britain's 2016 EU referendum result should be honoured, indicated that he would not be joining the new faction imminently.

Source: Daily Nation February 22, 2019 10:52 UTC