Harrow East’s Constituency Labour Party (CLP) backed a controversial Jewish group at its annual general meeting this week.

It lent its support to Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL); a network that promotes “justice for all, freedom of expression and democracy in the Labour Party”.

But the decision was criticised in some quarters – it was described as “gesture politics” from ‘the hard left’ in Harrow, while others took issue with what they see as JVL’s inadequate approach to anti-Semitism within the Labour Party.

Adam Langleben, a former Barnet councillor and member of the Jewish Labour Movement, was outraged by the move.

Posting on social media, he noted that his family and friends living in the constituency will now be put off voting for the party.

“JVL have hosted Holocaust revisionists, deny anti-Semitism in the Labour Party and represent no more than a few hundred out of 280,000 British Jews,” he wrote.

“Members in Harrow East who voted for it decided that a narrow, radical, obsessive fringe sect who are playing out a war against the Jewish community from the inside of Labour are more important than the thousands of Jewish constituents in Harrow East.”

He added that, while synagogues in the area would be happy to host organisations critical of Israeli policies or in support of Palestinians, he believes JVL would be turned away due to what he sees as unacceptable views.

In its statement of principles, JVL says it wants to “strengthen the party in its opposition to all forms of racism including antisemitism, broadening the party’s appeal to all sections of British society”.

It also speaks of standing up for “the rights of Jewish people everywhere, and against wrongs and injustice to Palestinians and other oppressed people anywhere”.

Cllr Pamela Fitzpatrick, the prospective parliamentary candidate (PPC) for Labour in Harrow East, was contacted for comment but she said it was a matter for the CLP chairman, Barry Kendler.

In a statement, Mr Kendler noted that the CLP’s only goal was ousting Conservative MP Bob Blackman.

“Harrow East Labour Party members voted for an executive committee and advisors that vigorously oppose anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and racial discrimination,” he said.

“[We] are dedicated to removing Bob Blackman and his Tory government, and restore public services, security at work and improved health and social care.”