The Conservatives labelled Sir Keir Starmer a “moral vacuum” after his U-turn on support for Labour’s Rochdale by-election candidate. 

It was announced last night that Labour had withdrawn its support for Azhar Ali and suspended him from the party after he was embroiled in an anti-Semitism row.

Sir Keir had stood by him despite growing protests from the Jewish community and within his party after Mr Ali claimed Israel deliberately let Hamas massacre its citizens on Oct 7 to pave the way for attacking Gaza.

The Labour leader was forced into a U-turn last night after “further comments” emerged. 

Richard Holden, the chairman of the Conservative Party, said: “Starmer is a moral vacuum - acting not out of principle but purely due to pressure.”

It is too late for Labour to replace Mr Ali on the ballot paper for the Feb 29 by-election because nominations have already closed.

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