Labour frontbencher Russell-Moyle quits shadow cabinet after saying he had been the victim of a “torrent of online hate”.
The MP, who’s constituency is Brighton and Hove, recently apologised after appearing to accuse Harry Potter author JK Rowling of using her experience of sexual assault as “justification” for her comments about trans people.
He also apologised recently after a 2009 Facebook post was revealed, where Mr Russell-Moyle described Zionism as a “dangerous nationalist idea” and suggesting Jewish claims to Israel are not progressive “by their very nature.”
He then became a victim of online bullying regarding the issues.
In a statement on Sunday, Mr Russell-Moyle said: “I have now deleted these posts and recognise why they were offensive.”
Announcing his resignation today, Mr Russell-Moyle wrote: “It is with regret I leave the shadow ministry, but owing to a campaign by the right-wing media my position has become untenable.
“This has unleashed a torrent of online hate and daily calls of harassment to my office, which has exposed those who work for me to abuse that would not be acceptable in any workplace.”
He added: “It is my job to get political flack, but it is not the job of caseworkers, researchers and assistants to be attacked.
“It has also led to hounding and stress, from which I need a few weeks to support my team and myself to collectively recover.”
A Labour spokesperson said: “Lloyd spoke to Keir Starmer this afternoon and informed Keir of his decision to step back from front bench duties as Shadow Minister for the Natural Environment.
“Keir thanked Lloyd for his hard work on the frontbench and wished him well in his plans for the coming months to focus on housing and youth services.”
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