Ex-Labour donor Sir David Garrard could now fund Tories over anti-Semitism row
The millionaire property developer is considering supporting the Conservatives after he claimed Labour has been "hijacked".
Tuesday 3 April 2018 22:50, UK
A former major Labour donor has revealed he could now bankroll the Conservatives after he launched a fresh attack on Jeremy Corbyn.
Millionaire property developer Sir David Garrard, who gave just under £2m to Labour in the 18 months before the 2015 general election, was revealed at the weekend to have now left the party.
Speaking to Sky News, Sir David has raised the prospect of supporting the Tories as he voiced fierce criticism of Mr Corbyn amid a continuing anti-Semitism row.
He said: "I do not regret my decision to leave the Labour Party, not for a moment.
"I take the strongest exception to Jeremy Corbyn's philosophy, his conduct as leader of Her Majesty's Opposition and, from what I have witnessed, both his direct and indirect anti-Semitic behaviour."
Sir David claimed he now regrets giving Labour such large sums in the past after "having witnessed the manner in which Labour has… been 'hijacked'."
He added: "Would I switch to the Conservatives? If I felt it would help them win the next election, I would give them all the support I have given to the Labour Party for decades."
Mr Corbyn faced fresh criticism on Tuesday after it emerged he joined a gathering of organisation "Jewdas" in his north London constituency, in order to celebrate the Jewish feast of Seder during Passover.
The self-described "radical" group have claimed allegations of anti-Semitism within Labour are "a malicious ploy" to topple Mr Corbyn.
Commenting on the row, Sir David told Sky News the group "does not represent the Jewish community in the country", adding: "They are a fringe group, motivated by their hatred of the State of Israel."
Sir David also mocked an official Labour spokesman's response to his departure from the party, as revealed by The Observer on Sunday, as he drew a link between recent cases of anti-Semitism within Labour and "fantasies" in Nazi Germany.
He said: "They put out their usual mantra - the 'commitment' they have to fighting anti-Semitism, that they have, presumably, saved on their word processor."
Sir David claimed Labour's "constant protestations that they will not tolerate anti-Semitism" within the party are "so blatantly countered in reality by their failure to expel Labour Party members who have engaged in the most hideous and grotesque accusations and characterisations and the kind of fantasies that became all too common in the '30s in Germany".
The businessman said he would meet Mr Corbyn, but only on the basis the Labour leader agreed to demands put to him by the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) and Board of Deputies of British Jews.
The two groups recently wrote to Mr Corbyn to call on him to take "personal responsibility" for tackling anti-Semitism within Labour and to publicly condemn those who claim the row is a "smear" and who vilify individuals or groups raising concerns about anti-Semitism.
In response to news of Sir David's departure from Labour at the weekend, a spokesman had said: "As Jeremy said in his email to all members this week, our party is at its best when we work together, uniting people in hope and against fear and division.
"Jeremy has made it clear that anti-Semitism in all its forms has absolutely no place in our party and he is committed to rooting it out."