THE city council's Labour representatives are furious that a councillor suspended over the sharing of allegedly anti-Semitic material has been allowed back into the national party.

Councillor Anne Pissaridou was suspended from the national party last year over the sharing of alleged anti-Semitic posts on social media.

The suspension, which also meant she could not attend meetings or speak on behalf of the local Labour group, is now coming to an end.

The majority of Labour councillors on Brighton and Hove City Council have written to its chief executive to state that when the suspension ends, they do not want her to rejoin their ranks.

They have taken steps to exclude her from the group and one furious councillor, fellow North Portslade representative Peter Atkinson, has resigned from the Labour Party over her readmission.

Cllr Atkinson said: “This is a truly sad and significant decision for me as I have been a Labour party member for over 40 years, almost all of my adult life. I cannot, however, just sit back and accept what has happened.

"Racism of any sort, including anti-Semitism is unacceptable. This is no reflection on the Labour Group, though. They have been vigorous in ensuring that there is no place for anti-Semitism within their ranks”

Cllr Pissaridou was one of three members of the group who were suspended over alleged anti-Semitic material.

Councillors Nikkie Brennan and Kate Knight resigned from the party and now sit as independents.

The Argus understands that Councillor Nancy Platts, who served as leader of the group until May, had previously asked Councillor Pissaridou to also resign.

At the time, Cllr Pissaridou said: "I am deeply sorry for my actions and any distress I have caused to the Jewish community.

"This happened several years ago, before I was a councillor, and the posts I shared do not reflect my views.

"I do not seek to excuse my mistake. I deeply regret not properly reading information before sharing such hurtful links."

The local Labour Group said: "Today, the Brighton and Hove Labour group of councillors have written to the chief executive to exclude Cllr Pissaridou from the Labour group.

"The Labour Group have made this decision as they feel Cllr Pissaridou must do more to re-educate, rehabilitate, apologise and rebuild trust with the local Jewish community, following the circumstances around her suspension.

"The Brighton and Hove Labour group are clear that there is no room for anti-Semitism or any other form of racism in our party, on our council, or in our city. That's why we pledged to become an anti-racist council, and we remain committed to delivering on that promise."

The national Labour Party previously said: "Under Nancy Platts' leadership, Brighton and Hove City Council acted decisively to tackle antisemitism and promoted education on rooting out anti-Semitism within the Labour Group of Councillors.

"The EHRC's (Equality and Human Rights Commission) report did not cast blame on individuals. It pointed to a collective failure of leadership, which the Labour party has worked closely with the commission to put right by accepting and implementing its recommendations in full. In her time working for the Labour Party, Nancy Platts had no role in processing complaints, including those of antisemitism.

"There is no place for antisemitism in the Labour party and the party fully supports the action taken by Nancy to root out antisemitism and rebuild the trust that the party lost with the Jewish community.

"The Party will be standing full square behind Nancy in her efforts on this issue and we will act quickly and decisively to counter malign attempts to tarnish Nancy's excellent record."