The Labour Party issued me with a formal warning about the unacceptable remarks I made 15 months ago.
I am profoundly sorry for those remarks and for the offence I caused, both to my constituents and the wider Jewish community. I have reflected deeply on my mistakes and wish to do everything I can to enhance my understanding of antisemitism in order to identify it and fight it, wherever it occurs.
In December I had a productive meeting with a representative from the Board of Deputies. I am grateful to the Board of Deputies for this meeting – an act of generosity in difficult and trying circumstances. The Board’s advice has helped me understand antisemitism and helped me reach out to the Jewish community. I hope to work closely with local Jewish leaders, including the South Wales Jewish Representative Council, to better represent the needs, concerns and experiences of my Jewish constituents.
The Labour Party has rightly given me a formal sanction about my previous conduct and I am determined to make sure I never repeat that offence again. I will be undergoing training on how I apply the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism to my work.