Sir Keir Starmer has said former London MP Mike Gapes rejoining Labour is a "tribute to the hard work already done to root out anti-Semitism" in the party.
On Tuesday Mike Gapes confirmed he had rejoined Labour, saying it is "back on track" and "once again a patriotic, serious party of mainstream Britain".
Mr Gapes served as Labour MP for Ilford South for 27 years, but left in 2019 in protest at Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership and the party's failure to tackle anti-Semitism.
He was one of 11 MPs who formed The Independent Group and lost their seats at the last general election.
Sir Keir said: "I'm delighted that Mike Gapes has chosen to rejoin the changed Labour Party that I lead.
"Like many others, Mike turned away from the Party in recent years because it no longer represented traditional Labour values. But we’ve changed and there’s no going back.
"That Mike has chosen to rejoin is a tribute to the hard work already done to change our Party: to face the electorate, to root out anti-Semitism, support business, to celebrate patriotism and our NATO membership, not chastise it.
"I know there is more to do, and I'm really pleased that Mike will be with us in this ongoing work to change our Party so that we can change our country and deliver our missions for a better Britain."
It follows Luciana Berger returning to Labour last week after she received an apology from Sir Keir.
“The Labour party has turned a significant corner under Keir’s leadership,” the former MP for Liverpool Wavertree said.
“I’m pleased to be returning to my political home.”
