A WIRRAL councillor suspended over allegations of antisemitism earlier this year has confirmed she will be standing to replace Louise Ellman in the Liverpool Riverside MP seat.

Jo Bird was briefly suspended by the Labour Party in March after making a joke about 'jew process.'

But the Bromborough Councillor, who is Jewish, was quickly reinstated – and said she does not recognise the comments made by Ms Ellman, who quit the party after 55 years last week claiming antisemitism had now become ‘mainstream’ in the party.

She claimed a Jeremy Corbyn-led government would be a danger for Jews in the UK – comments the Labour leader said were 'unreasonable and unfair'.

On hearing news of Cllr Bird’s intention to stand, Malcolm Kennedy, a Labour Councillor in Riverside, said: "For her to be selected would be an outrage."

Cllr Bird said she was unable to respond to Cllr Kennedy’s comments in time for this article’s publication, but directed the Local Democracy Reporting Service to previous things she had written and said on the issue.

On the issue of her suspension, Cllr Bird said: “The Jewish Chronicle attacked me, quoting a speech I made on anti-racism, including a play on words, ‘due/Jew process’. I said I am sorry for any offence caused – that was not my intention.”

“No-one knew how long my suspension would last and my anxiety levels hit the roof. Over a thousand people said publicly, ‘It’s ridiculous to suspend a Jewish councillor for making a Jewish joke’.

“Thanks to them, Labour re-instated me nine days later.”

In a video published last week, she said: “I am one of many Jewish members of the Labour Party here in Liverpool City Region.

“We don’t recognise the description that Louise Ellman paints of the Labour Party being institutionally anti-semitic.

“My experience is a very welcoming Labour Party.

“For me as a Jewish person, as a socialist and as a human I’m proud to represent this community.

“Louise Ellman was elected on a Labour ticket, she should resign and call a by-election as she is no longer part of the Labour Party.”

Concluding the video, she said the Labour Party supports “human rights for everybody”.

Cllr Bird also wrote about her candidacy and achievements as a councillor to date. She said: “I’ve led successful campaigns to re-open Wirral South NHS Walk-In Centre; mobilised over 100 Labour supporters for my local election campaign; brought a thousand people onto the streets to mark the second anniversary of New Ferry gas explosion disaster – and continue to secure justice for all victims.”

“Working with co-operatives for 26 years, like Granby 4 Streets Community Land Trust, I know how to democratise the economy. I can help Labour to grow a green industrial revolution in all sectors from housing and renewable energy to manufacturing and transport.”