Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough, has been suspended from the party after making a highly controversial speech.

The MP used the phrase "from the river to the sea" during his speech at a pro-Palestine rally at the weekend.

Downing Street has expressed concern over the phrase and the Prime Minister's official spokesperson described how the language could be "of significant concern to many".

A Labour Party spokesperson said: "The comments made by Andy McDonald at the weekend were deeply offensive, particularly at a time of rising antisemitism which has left the Jewish people fearful for their safety.

"The chief whip has suspended the Labour whip from Andy McDonald, pending an investigation."

Simon Clarke, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: "This is absolutely the right decision - Andy McDonald’s speech was deeply provocative and offensive.

"He has brought shame on both the Labour Party and to Middlesbrough."

Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, said: "Long overdue. Disgusting behaviour from someone who should be nowhere near elected office. So what about the rest of them, Keir Starmer?

"When will they be removed from the Labour Party? The cancer goes much further than Andy McDonald…"

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has previously branded the slogan antisemitic and claimed that it is “widely understood” to call for the destruction of Israel but pro-Palestinian protesters have contested this definition.

Education minister Robert Halfon, who is Jewish, told Times Radio that hearing the phrase being chanted was “horrific” and “scary”, adding: "It’s frightening for Jewish people in England at the moment, you know.

"I really welcome that the Prime Minister has done everything possible to support those of the Jewish faith, but it is frightening when you hear those chants … when you hear cries of jihad every week in central London.

"It is frightening.

"When you hear that Jewish schools have to close their doors, when you hear of students, I am the universities minister as well, I get messages from Jewish chaplaincy service in higher education that Jewish students are having Palestinian flags draped over their cars or doors knocked on of the Jewish chaplain with people knocking on doors saying ‘we know where you live’.

"Antisemitism has gone up enormously even in my area of higher education.

"The Community Security Trust suggested it has gone up by over 400 per cent since October 7."

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The PM's spokesperson said: "We understand clearly this is a deeply offensive chant to many.

"And again, I think people need to be responsible with their use of language.

"Obviously it’s up to the police to make an operational decision about the use of that language if they see fit to do so, but I can understand how the use of that language and others will be of significant concern to many."

Mr McDonald described being 'saddened' by the news he was being suspended.

He said: "I am saddened to have received the news from the opposition chief whip that I have been placed under 'precautionary suspension' for a period of three months, which is reviewable pending an investigation by the Labour Party. 

"I look forward to engaging and fully cooperating with the inquiry.

"Throughout the past two days, there have been a number of misrepresentations of my words in the media.

"These have furthered baseless and extremely harmful representations against me, which I feel obliged to respond to now, in order to avoid any further errors in the press.

"In my speech on Saturday, I said the following: "Until all people, Israelis and Palestinians, between the river and the sea, can live in peaceful liberty.

"These words should not be construed in any other way than they were intended, namely as a heartfelt plea for an end to killings in Israel, Gaza, and the occupied West Bank, and for all peoples in the region to live in freedom without the threat of violence.

"I will be happy to explain these views to the investigation when it convenes, and trust that the whip will be restored.

"In the meantime, for the sake of humanity, I hope and pray that we see an end to war in Gaza, and steps are taken towards a lasting peace."