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Imran Hussain has become the first Labor frontbencher to resign over the issue of Sir Keir Starmer’s handling of the situation in Gaza, increasing pressure on the British opposition leader.
Hussain, who was shadow minister for labor rights, warned of a growing “humanitarian catastrophe” and said he wanted to be free “to be able to strongly advocate for a ceasefire as requested by the UN Secretary General” in the Gaza Strip.
Starmer has been criticized by several shadow ministers, party whips and regional mayors for his refusal to call for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
The Labor leader has argued that a ceasefire would give Hamas the military capacity to repeat its attacks against Israeli civilians a month ago. Instead, he has backed calls for a temporary “humanitarian pause”, in line with UK and US governments and the European Union.
In his resignation letter, Hussain said he believed only a ceasefire could “end the bloodshed” and that his position on Gaza “substantially differs” from that of his party leader, making it impossible to serve in a shadow ministerial to stay post.
He also said he was “deeply disturbed” by Starmer’s comments on LBC radio, which appeared to endorse the Israeli government’s decision to cut power and water to the enclave.
Hussain was elected in Bradford East in 2015, winning the seat back from the Liberal Democrats.
Amid growing tensions within Labor and the frequent resignations of Muslim councilors, Starmer had hoped that by getting frontbenchers to take a different position on the issue, he could avoid the resignation of shadow ministers. Hussein’s departure will increase fears among the leadership team that more shadow ministers will leave the front benches.
MPs who have raised concerns about his position include Shadow Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who wrote to her constituents that Starmer’s comments on radio had caused “deep distress”.
Eighteen Labor frontbenchers have now called for a ceasefire, although none of the shadow cabinet members.