DIRECTOR Ken Loach has demanded an open inquiry into revelations that a “rotten, disgusting clique” of senior Labour staff worked for the party’s defeat in the 2017 election. 

The left-wing activist and award-winning director said dealing with the issue was the new Labour cabinet’s “first big test.”

The shocking indications that senior staff had worked for the party’s defeat under former leader Jeremy Corbyn were uncovered earlier this month in a leaked Labour report. 

Mr Loach said a public inquiry must be launched to “really disentangle” what happened.

He also said the report must be submitted in full to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission for its probe into anti-semitism in the Labour Party. 

Explaining why, Mr Loach argued that many key witnesses’ integrity has now been “destroyed” as they were the same people accused of deliberately mishandling complaints of anti-semitism so it would reflect badly on the Labour leadership.

Speaking at a People’s Assembly webinar last night, Mr Loach added that despite many people’s anger, they should not leave the party. 

“My view is, for what it’s worth, that we have to stay and fight,” he said.