A WIRRAL MP has come out in support of a fellow Labour colleague suspended from the party for making "deeply offensive" comments at a pro-Palestine rally.

Andy McDonald, who will sit as an independent MP for Middlesbrough while an investigation takes place, used the phrase “between the river and the sea” in a speech during a demonstration at the weekend.

The Middlesbrough MP said his choice of words was part of a wider “heartfelt plea for an end to the killings”.

Birkenhead MP Mick Whitley has called for Mr McDonald to be "reinstated now", claiming that he had made a "genuine and legitimate call for peace in the region founded on respect for the liberty and dignity of Palestinians and Israelis alike".

But a Labour spokesman said: “The comments made by Andy McDonald at the weekend were deeply offensive, particularly at a time of rising antisemitism which has left Jewish people fearful for their safety.

“The chief whip has suspended the Labour whip from Andy McDonald, pending an investigation.”

Some pro-Palestinian protesters have chanted “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” during recent demonstrations in London.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has previously branded the slogan antisemitic and claimed that it is “widely understood” to call for the destruction of Israel, but pro-Palestinian protesters have contested this definition.

In a video shared by Mr McDonald on X, formerly known as Twitter, of his speech at the rally, he said: “We will not rest until we have justice. Until all people, Israelis and Palestinians between the river and the sea can live in peaceful liberty.”

He went on to chant “free Palestine”, alongside the crowd.

In a statement published on social media, Mr McDonald said he was saddened to be suspended, but would co-operate fully with Labour’s investigation.

He said: “These words should not be construed in any other way than they were intended, namely as a heartfelt plea for an end to the killings in Israel, Gaza, and the occupied West Bank, and for all peoples in the region to live in freedom without the threat of violence.”

He went on: “I will be happy to explain these views to the investigation when it convenes, and trust that the whip will be restored.

“In the meantime, for the sake of humanity, I hope and pray that we see an end to the war in Gaza, and steps are taken towards a lasting peace.”

Mr Whitley said: "My colleague and friend, Andy McDonald, has been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party for saying: 'We will not rest until we have justice. Until all people, Israelis and Palestinians, between the river and the sea, can live in peaceful liberty.' 

"Andy was making a genuine and legitimate call for peace in the region founded on respect for the liberty and dignity of Palestinians and Israelis alike.

"The ability to discuss the crisis in the Middle East and freely consider different routes to a peaceful solution to the current crisis must not be blocked by the Party leadership.

"Andy must be reinstated now."