Labour suspends MP Kate Osamor after suggesting Gaza war as a "genocide"

Labour MP for Edmonton in north London, Kate Osamor, has been suspended from her party while they investigate a message where she described the situation in Gaza as a genocide on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day.

In a message sent to her party members, she reportedly said that Holocaust Memorial Day should be observed, and went on to write that there was an "international duty" to remember the victims of the Holocaust, as well as "more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and now Gaza".

The former shadow development secretary, who was a key part of Jeremy Corbyn's team' is due to meet party whips on Monday and has issued an apology.

Osamor tweeted after sending the message: “Holocaust Memorial Day is a day to remember the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust and the genocides that have occurred since. I apologise for any offence caused by my reference to the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza as part of that period of remembrance.”

Jonathan Reynolds, the shadow business secretary, told Sky News that Osamor had met the chief whip to discuss her comments and was due to meet officials again this week.

“What is happening in Gaza is clearly a humanitarian catastrophe that is recognised,” he said. “But there are specific reasons why the Holocaust is considered as it is. It’s important on Holocaust Remembrance Day to remember that.

“And I understand Kate has apologised. There’s been a conversation with the chief whip. There’ll be further conversations next week, but of course we take anything in this space extremely seriously.”

Labour leader, Sir Kier Starmer, has supported Israel’s “right to defend itself” in Gaza against Hamas, but more recently called for a sustainable ceasefire and hit out at the “intolerable” casualties. His position has caused tensions within Labour. Many in the party have pressed him to be more critical of Israel’s military action, which has caused an estimated 24,000 deaths.