Labour Faces Crisis in Rochdale Byelection After Candidate's Sacking

Azhar Ali's controversial remarks about Israel lead to his dismissal, throwing Labour's campaign into disarray and spotlighting George Galloway and Simon Danczuk as main contenders.

• Labour's candidate for the Rochdale byelection, Azhar Ali, has been sacked following controversial remarks about Israel, leading to a crisis for party leader Sir Keir Starmer.
• Ali's comments, suggesting Israel allowed a massacre to justify military action, have sparked widespread criticism and a formal complaint for antisemitism.
• Despite an apology from Ali, Labour has withdrawn its support, leaving the party without a candidate as his name remains on the ballot.
• The controversy has overshadowed Labour's campaign in other byelections and may impact the party's lead in opinion polls.
• George Galloway and Simon Danczuk emerge as key contenders in the Rochdale byelection, with Labour's usual electoral machine compromised.

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