A LABOUR activist who was suspended from the party after being accused of making anti-Semitic remarks claims he received a death threat that mentioned his mother.

David Watson served as a fundraiser for Walthamstow Labour Party until his suspension in May 2016.

The 49-year-old of Walthamstow said after posting a number of comments on social media, he received a call from the Jewish Chronicle asking for his reaction to being suspended from the Labour Party.

A week later he received a letter from the Labour Party informing him about the suspension.

Last August he was informed by a member of Walthamstow Labour Party that a death threat aimed at him had been received by the party’s office in Orford Road, Walthamstow.

He said: “It was traumatic and not only that but very obscene – it made remarks about my mother.

“They said I better be very careful around Walthamstow.

“I have also been insulted in the community and even a friend I used to know in the pub refused to talk to me.

“It is terrible and my wife and I have tried to keep it from the children but they don’t understand why my wife bursts into tears.

“I have had counselling which has helped but I have had very low times, even feeling suicidal.”

Mr Watson commented on a meme shared by Labour MP for Bradford West Naz Shah which supported the relocation of Israel to the United States, saying he thought the image was not anti-Semitic.

The father-of-two who is a teacher in Redbridge also shared articles which were accused of being anti-Semitic.

However he claims the messages in the articles were corroborated by the mainstream media and even the Israeli press.

He also said his comments about Zionism being a racist ideology were made in a private converstation with a friend and were not intended to be made public.

He said: “What I said was that her comment was not anti-Semitic.

“In another post I said Zionism is a racist ideology but I have Jewish friends and they agree.

“I also shared articles on Facebook saying Daesh was using weapons made in Israel and a story accusing Israel of genocide.

“I didn’t share anything that couldn’t be backed up.

“What drives me is my quest for justice and to see the abolition of racism and anti-Semitism.”

Mr Watson attended a hearing in August with leaders of the Labour Party who discussed his comments but he has not heard anything from them since and has yet to have his suspension lifted.

He became party fundraiser for Walthamstow Labour Party in November 2015 after beating Corinna Creasy, MP for Walthamstow Stella Creasy’s mother, in the election.

Three members of Walthamstow Labour Party have been expelled over the past 12 months.

Walthamstow East Labour Party branch, which has 1500 members, carried a motion calling for justice for suspended and expelled members.  The motion was passed by Walthamstow West Branch.

It called for the reinstatement of expelled and suspended members.

A statement published by the Walthamstow East branch said: “We express concern that the party is failing to live up to basic standards of natural justice and due process.

“We call on the party to implement the kind of procedures and standards set out in the Chakrabarti Report. 

“Everyone accused of violating the rules should be informed in writing, not in the press, with evidence provided, and given a chance to respond and a proper hearing before any decision is taken.”

A spokesman for the Labour Party refused to comment on Mr Watson’s suspension and on the wider issue of suspensions in the party.