Thread by @HarryYorke1

Exclusive: The Telegraph has seen footage of John McDonnell accusing Israel of attempted "genocide" at a far-Left rally organised by Unite the Resistance. In 2016, he also shared a platform with Jackie Walker despite being urged by colleagues not to. telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/…

This is what John McDonnell said at that rally: “I think it’s absolutely critical now that we use every platform we can to expose what’s going on, which is effectively an attempt at genocide against the Palestinians.”

Intriguingly, a Labour spokesman tonight said that Mr McDonnell's remarks were justifiable and that "John takes pride in and stands by his track record." On the phone they proceeded to explain to me what genocide was.

In 2016, just months after Jackie Walker was originally suspended for saying Jews were "chief financiers" of the slave trade, Mr McDonnell appeared alongside her at a Labour Representation Committee (he is the president of the group).

He told those present that "various Labour MPs" had urged him not to attend. He opened the meeting by saying: “My response is to be here, simple as that.” Two weeks later, Jackie Walker was suspended again. She remains so, and under investigation.

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For those unfamiliar with the Labour Representation Committee, I recommend reading The Sunday Telegraph's splash by my excellent colleague @edwardmalnick telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/…

Also, unless Labour changes/updates the record tomorrow, it appears from spox quotes that the party now believes it is acceptable to declare the Israel-Palestine situation a genocide. This is a big development if true.

Karen Pollock, the chief exec of the Holocaust Educational Trust, on Mr McDonnell's comments: "Whilst there are strong feelings on all sides when talking about the Middle East conflict, attributing the word genocide is not only inaccurate, but irresponsible and deeply offensive".