NINE Scottish Labour officials have left their posts amid an alleged gagging order by the party on Gaza.

Office bearers in Glasgow Kelvin have quit after calling for the cessation of Israeli military action.

It comes following a number of resignations over Keir Starmer’s stance on the Middle East crisis.

The Labour leader has repeatedly insisted Israel has a right to defend itself, within international law.

But his comments in a radio interview last week have sparked anger among some Labour activists.

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Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was said to have been “unhappy” with Starmer’s comments on Wednesday, according to the Record.

The nine Glasgow Kelvin officials include Jim Mackechnie, Jennifer Young, Kim Bonnar, Peter Duffy, Pauline Bryan, Vince Mills, Diarmaid Kelliher, Agnes Tolmie and David Conway.

A press release stated: “The resignations follow the submission of a motion calling on Anas Sarwar to press for a cessation of Israeli military action, the establishment of a humanitarian corridor and the release of hostages.

“Immediately after publication of the meeting agenda, party officials wrote to all CLPs saying that 'any motions' about Gaza would be 'out of order and should not be debated at party meetings'.”

The statement for the nine read: “We have been informed by the General Secretary and the Scottish General Secretary that any motions relating to the situation in Israel and Gaza are out of order for all CLPs.

“It seems preposterous to us that a local political party cannot have a substantive discussion on contemporary events which are commanding the attention of the entire world.

“We believe that the emergency motion which was submitted for debate was perfectly valid, and we refute any suggestion by party officials that the mere discussion of the Gaza situation would be 'prejudicial or grossly detrimental to the Labour Party'.

“On the contrary, we believe that the absence of such discussion brings our party into disrepute.

“We cannot fulfil this aim if we are forced to shut down discussion, and we refuse to be part of a party machinery which stifles democracy.”

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Starmer has written to all party councillors, adding they had a role in ensuring the party's stance is "communicated to constituents" in their local areas.

In the letter, first reported by the New Statesman, he said there should be "humanitarian corridors and humanitarian access, including food, water, electricity and medicines" to people in Gaza - as well as protection for aid workers.