Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield has escaped censure by members of her own association over her support at a demonstration protesting at Labour’s stance on anti-Semitism.

Some members had signed a motion that takes the MP to task for her association with groups that levelled criticism at the party for its position on the highly controversial issue, saying it has damaged the party.

However, the critical motion has now been withdrawn by those who proposed it after a meeting last night.

The original motion had referred to her appearance at an anti-racism rally at which she said that MPs could strike if the party did not endorse a particular definition of anti-semitism.

The internal divisions within the association will be unwelcome for the party, which has been desperate to draw a line under a toxic row.

The MP has previously robustly defended her support for those that had urged the party to adopt - as it now has - the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of, and accompanying examples, of anti-Semitism.

But the motion of censure stated: “We have observed the words and conduct of our Labour MP, Rosie Duffield and we are dissatisfied at her decision to involve herself with groups and organisations that are campaigning to damage our party, as well as impede its efforts to ensure the right to criticise crimes committed by the state of Israel.

“We are particularly concerned that Rosie chose to show her support for these parties at a demonstration organised to groundlessly accuse the party of systematic anti-semitism.

"She compounded this conduct by carelessly appearing to threaten the leader at a meeting of an organisation which, though affiliated with the Labour Party, does not at all times share its priorities.

“With regret, this CLP censures Rosie Duffield for this conduct.

"We also urge her to consult with and seek guidance from the democratically elected officers of the Canterbury Constituency Labour Party on issues of this level of contention.

"On matters of political sensitivity the democratic support of this CLP will clearly strengthen her position in dealing with others.”

"We have observed the words and conduct of our Labour MP Rosie Duffield and we are dissatisfied at her decision to involve herself with groups and organisations that are campaigning to damage our party" - the motion of censure

Ben Hickman, the chairman of the Labour constituency association, said it was not uncommon for the CLP not to see eye to eye with its MP.

He said it was incorrect that the meeting had been called especially to debate the issue and was a scheduled meeting, primarily to decide on what members should raise at the party’s conference.

Nevertheless, the apparent divisions within the association will be unwelcome, as the party nationally has only recently reached a position on anti-Semitism after a two-year-long saga.