THE International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-semitism is “not fit for purpose” and is likely to “chill free speech,” leading human rights QC Geoffrey Robertson said yesterday.

Mr Robertson said the government was “wrong” to adopt the IHRA definition without a caveat allowing legitimate criticism of Israel, as recommended by Parliament’s home affairs committee.

The cross-party group of MPs recommended adoption of the IHRA definition and examples in October 2016, but said it should add: “It is not anti-semitic to criticise the government of Israel, without additional evidence to suggest anti-semitic intent.”