Gordon Brown has pleaded with Jewish voters "not to give up" on Labour as the party was mired in another round of in-fighting over its response to anti-Semitism claims.

The former prime minister has piled more pressure on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to eliminate antisemitism as he said there had to be a cultural shift in the party.

And the former Dunfermline East and Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP said that Jeremy Corbyn had to show he could enforce the necessary changes.

His intervention follows the furore over the decision last week to readmit Chris Williamson – a strong supporter of Mr Corbyn – despite him saying Labour had been “too apologetic” about antisemitism.

The Herald: Chris Williamson

He was re-suspended last week after a furious backlash, led by deputy leader Tom Watson. Labour is already being investigated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The controversial Left-winger is due to have his case dealt with by Labour’s ruling body on Tuesday.

Mr Brown's comments came as the party was hit by claims of a "civil war" over the future of Jeremy Mr Corbyn's closest aides and the Labour was braced for further revelations over anti-Semitism in a major TV documentary.

Addressing the problems of anti-Semitism among some parts of the party, Mr Brown said: "This is not just a problem of policy, it is a problem of culture and the culture has got to change."

During an event in Hampstead Synagogue in north London, Mr Brown called for the automatic expulsion of people against whom there is "irrefutable evidence" of anti-Semitism, adding "these cases clearly exist".

Asked by an audience member whether he would advise the Jewish community to vote Labour, he said: "I would urge you, tempting as it may be, not to give up on the party who in its origins was a party that fought racism in this country."

The Herald: FRONTRUNNER: Labour leadership hopeful Jeremy Corbyn

Another audience member suggested Mr Corbyn may need to stand down for everyone to be able to move forward on the issue.

Mr Brown said he would not be drawn on Mr Corbyn's future but added: "I am going to say, there has to be change of policy.

"Can the present leader conduct and enforce that change of policy? That is for him to answer."

Mr Brown's intervention came after Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson hit out at a clampdown on former staff blowing the whistle on the party's handling of anti-Semitism allegations ahead of a BBC Panorama documentary due to be aired on Wednesday.

The Sunday Times reported up to half a dozen ex-employees have torn up non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to speak to the programme.

According to the newspaper, Carter Ruck - acting on behalf of Labour - has written to Sam Matthews, the party's former head of disputes, warning he could face legal action for breaking his NDA.

Another former aide also received warnings last year from a different law firm representing Labour, the paper said.

Mr Watson said: "Using expensive media lawyers in attempt to silence staff members is as futile as it is stupid. It's not the Labour way and I deplore it."

Shadow Cabinet minister Barry Gardiner said he would welcome an objective investigation of anti-Semitism in Labour but "my understanding of this programme is that has not been balanced and impartial in that way".

It involved talking to former party staff members who had a "political axe to grind", he claimed.

A spokesman for Panorama said: "The Labour Party is criticising a programme they have not seen.

"We are confident the programme will adhere to the BBC's editorial guidelines.

"In line with those, the Labour Party has been given the opportunity to respond to the allegations."