Jeremy Corbyn and Labour Party members have been accused of tolerating antisemitism in the party’s ranks, even encouraging it with anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric.

LONDON—U.S. President Donald Trump has refused to meet the “negative” Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, during his state visit in London this week.

On the second day of his visit, during which he has been hosted by the Queen and Prime Minister Theresa May,  Trump said he had rejected the request from Corbyn, describing him as “somewhat of a negative force”.

“He wanted to meet today or tomorrow, and I decided that I would not do that,” he said. “I really don’t like critics as much as I like and respect someone who can get things done.”

The Labour leadership confirmed that they had sought a meeting with Trump during his three-day visit to the United Kingdom. They said Corbyn remained “ready to engage with the president on a range of issues, including the climate emergency, threats to peace and the refugee crisis.”

Corbyn and Labour Party members have been accused of tolerating antisemitism in the party’s ranks, even encouraging it with anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric.