During the row about the BBC aid appeal row in January, Ben Bradshaw MP claimed “Israel has a long reputation of bullying the BBC”. He added: “I am afraid the BBC has been cowed by this relentless and persistent pressure from the Israeli Government and they should stand up against it”. Many thought his claims – which he has never substantiated – smacked of antisemitism, particularly as he has a history of bashing Israel.

Presumably Bradshaw would deny the charge of antisemitism and allege it is just a smokescreen. Well, he should know about that technique. After getting caught up in the expenses scandal he has tried to wriggle out of trouble by accusing the newspaper that investigated his financial affairs of homophobia. It would be terrible were that true but this is a smokescreen if ever I saw one – even Peter Tatchell denied the report was homophobic.

Is it wrong to laugh when Israel-bashers get in trouble?