Starmer suspends MP Andy McDonald over ‘offensive’ chant at pro-Palestine rally after facing pressure from PM to act

SIR Keir Starmer this evening suspended hard left Labour MP Andy McDonald, two days after he referenced the “river to the sea” chant at a pro-Palestine rally.

The Labour chief was pushed into action after Rishi Sunak sacked an MP ministerial aide for calling for a ceasefire in Israel.

Mr McDonald sparked fury from British Jews after telling tens of thousands of Palestine protestors: “All people, Israelis and Palestinians, between the river and the sea, can live in peaceful liberty.”

Community leaders say the river to sea chant is a call for Israel, the world’s only Jewish state, to be wiped from the map.

A Labour spokesperson said: “The comments made by Andy McDonald at the weekend were deeply offensive, particularly at a time of rising antisemitism which has left Jewish people fearful for their safety.

“The chief whip has suspended the Labour whip from Andy McDonald, pending an investigation.”

It came as Peterborough MP and parliamentary private secretary Paul Bristow was sacked for writing to Rishi Sunak last week urging a “permanent” end to hostilities.

After being fired by the PM he told The Sun: “It was absolutely the right decision for the PM to fire me – I obviously regret being sacked.

“But I have many thousands of constituents who feel very strongly about this issue and feel I can better represent their views from the backbenches than the government payroll.”

In his letter to the PM, Mr Bristow said: “I struggle to see how Israel is any safer following thousands of deaths of innocent Palestinians.

“They should not suffer collective punishment for the crimes of Hamas.

“We need a ceasefire.”

Hours after Mr Bristow’s comments were revealed in The Telegraph, a spokesperson for No10 confirmed: “Paul Bristow has been asked to leave his post in government following comments that were not consistent with the principles of collective responsibility”.

The move ramped up pressure on Sir Keir to discipline the dozens of Labour MPs who have defied the party line to similarly call for a ceasefire.

Last night Corbynista backbencher Mr McDonald was slammed for using the incendiary “between the river and the sea” cry at a pro-Palestine rally this weekend. 

And veteran leftie John McDonell sparked fury for defending him – while suggesting Israel should have reacted to Hamas’ ghoulish attacks with “negotiation”.

Labour has plunged into infighting following Sir Keir’s refusal to back a flat-out ceasefire and instead calling for a “humanitarian pause”.