Its candidate Azhar Ali should have been cut adrift the moment he was exposed for peddling an entirely false anti-Semitic conspiracy theory.

Instead, shadow ministers were sent out to deliver the ridiculous excuse that Ali was an unfortunate dope, tricked by the internet into making comments entirely “out of character”.

It was only when the political heat became unbearable that Labour officials tonight reluctantly announced all campaigning on Ali’s behalf would cease.

Farcically, he will remain the party’s candidate in Rochdale, since nominations have now closed.

But MPs will be spared the ignominy of having to knock on doors or post leaflets emblazoned with his name.
Sir Keir Starmer has few policies of note — having ditched his ruinously expensive £28billion eco pipedream only last week.

But what he could claim was that he had made big strides in ridding Labour of the vile anti-Jewish sentiment that flourished under Jeremy Corbyn.