The universities minister has written to the head of Oxford urging her to consider disciplinary action over alleged ‘rampant anti-Semitism’ at the university’s Labour club.

Jo Johnson demanded an urgent investigation after the student group’s co-chair said members had a ‘poisonous’ attitude towards minority groups and resigned.

Alex Chalmers, 20, said a ‘large proportion’ of the Oxford University Labour club (OULC) had ‘some kind of problem with Jews’ and that some had used offensive terms.

The club, which counts Michael Foot and Ed and David Miliband among its former members, describes itself as ‘the home of the Labour Party and the left at Oxford University’ and the largest in the country.

Yesterday, the university’s Jewish society released a list of alleged anti-Semitic incidents involving the club and claimed they were ‘mocked’ when they raised concerns.

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband postponed an event at the OULC next month with his spokesman stating he was ‘deeply disturbed’ at the reports of anti-semitism.

Investigated: The Oxford University Labour Club has been accused of 'rampant anti-Semitism’

Jo Johnson (pictured) demanded an urgent investigation after the student group’s co-chair said members had a ‘poisonous’ attitude towards minority groups and resigned

Last night, Mr Johnson said he was concerned over a number of reports of intimidation of Jewish students on campuses, which risked curtailing free speech.

He urged Oxford vice-chancellor Professor Louise Richardson and other university leaders to take action to show they were taking students’ safety ‘seriously’.

He wrote: ‘I am writing now following reports in the press alleging rampant anti-Semitism among members of the Oxford University Labour Club, and following the resignation of its chairman Alex Chalmers.

‘There can be no justification for attacks on Jewish students, and no tolerance for institutionalised racism within an organisation that bears the University's name.

‘Universities must be places for students, irrespective of their background, to develop as individuals and citizens, free from the fear of racism or the kind of intimidation that curtails free speech.

‘Jewish students at Oxford and all universities must feel confident that university leaders take their safety seriously.

‘I would welcome your assurance that the situation involving the OULC is being urgently and thoroughly investigated, with strong disciplinary action taken where necessary.’

Mr Johnson said he had already raised concerns about a public meeting involving the King's College Israel Society in London which was abandoned due to violent interruptions from pro-Palestinian protestors.

History student Mr Chalmers resigned after OULC voted to endorse Israel Apartheid Week (IAW), an annual series of lectures against Israeli settlement in the West Bank and Gaza.

Mr Chalmers, who is not Jewish himself, said the movement had a ‘history of targeting and harassing Jewish students’ and ‘inviting anti-Semitic speakers’.

Yesterday, his claims about the group were supported by the university Jewish Society, which revealed it had compiled a list of incidents reported by OULC members over the course of a year.

It included an allegation that several people have been known to sing an offensive song called ‘Rockets over Tel Aviv’ and expressed support for attacks by Hamas on civilians.

Another member is accused of stating that the club should not associate with any Jew who does not publicly denounce Zionism.

The society also said that one member of the OULC was formally disciplined by their college for organising a group of students to harass a Jewish student and to shout 'filthy Zionist' at them.

A spokesman for the society said: ‘It is not the first time that Oxford JSoc has had to deal with anti-Semitic incidents within the student left and it will not be the last.

Members: Both Ed and David Miliband were former members of the Oxford University Labour Club

‘It is a significant and worrying issue and one that on many occasions, Jewish students have felt that they are fighting alone.

‘Many of Oxford’s Jewish students who hold progressive views have long felt excluded from left-wing political spaces.

‘Jewish students who raised the issue of anti-Semitism at the OULC meeting were laughed at and mocked.

‘It is high time that this issue is confronted. We hope Alex’s resignation triggers a broader awakening amongst student political movements, and that anti-Semitism, particularly on the student left, is finally taken seriously.’

Yesterday, John Mann, Labour MP for Bassetlaw in Nottinghamshire, called for the party to sever ties with the club while an investigation is carried out.

He wrote on Twitter: ‘There needs to be a full enquiry [sic] and suspension of Oxford University Labour Club for the allegations of racism.’

It follows a growing number of complaints from Jewish students that they are being made to feel unwelcome on campuses around the country.

Mr Mann later said that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn should ensure a thorough investigation into the allegations is carried out.

He said: ‘I have written to the Labour Party asking for an investigation as a matter of urgency.

‘It is hugely embarrassing for the Labour Party. This is something Jeremy Corbyn should personally look into.

‘These allegations are quite precise and there needs to be an investigation to see if they are true.’

The club endorsed 'Israel Apartheid Week', an annual series of lectures against Israeli settlement in the West Bank and Gaza

Mr Miliband’s spokesman said: ‘Ed is deeply disturbed to hear of reports of anti-Semitism in the Oxford University Labour Club.

‘It is right that the executive of the club has roundly condemned the comments and fully co-operates with the Labour Students' investigation.

‘Ed and the Labour Club have agreed that his talk should be postponed until the investigation is resolved.’

MP Louise Ellman, vice chairwoman of Labour Friends of Israel, said: 'I am deeply disturbed by the news that Oxford University Labour Club has decided to support Israel Apartheid Week and by the revelations from Alex Chalmers about the troubling tone of the discourse in which this debate appears to have been conducted.'

She said comparisons between Israel and apartheid-era South Africa 'are a grotesque smear and the Labour Party should dissociate itself from them'.

In a statement, national umbrella body Labour Students said it was 'deeply troubled' by the allegations.

Disturbed: MP Louise Ellman, vice chairwoman of Labour Friends of Israel said she was 'Oxford University Labour Club has decided to support Israel Apartheid Week

It added: 'We unequivocally condemn any form of anti-semitism. We are taking these allegations very seriously and will do whatever is necessary to ensure every Labour club is a safe space for Jewish students.'

A Labour Party spokeswoman said: 'The Labour Party condemns anti-Semitism in any form.

'Labour Students have launched an immediate investigation and the Labour Party welcomes and supports this action.

'If complaints are made about any individual member of the Labour Party, the party will take robust action to deal with any anti-Semitic behaviour.'

Noni Csogor, remaining co-chair of the club, said in an online statement: ‘We take allegations of anti-Semitism in the club very seriously and I will be discussing, with my executive committee, how to deal with the kinds of statements Alex mentions, and what concrete steps we can take in future to preserve a club that’s been a safe haven for Jewish students in the past.’

A spokesman for Oxford University said: ‘Oxford University does not tolerate any form of harassment or victimisation - including on the grounds of religion and belief - and expects all members of the University community, its visitors and contractors to treat each other with respect, courtesy and consideration.

'We would strongly urge anyone who has experienced harassment or intimidation on the grounds of religion and belief to come forward and officially report any incident to the university authorities. We take allegations of harassment extremely seriously, and where offences are found to have been committed they are considered grounds for severe disciplinary action.'

In March last year, Moselle Paz Solis, Jewish Society president at the School of Oriental and African Studies, told the Jewish Chronicle that she was ‘too scared to go anywhere’ after a controversial vote where students agreed to academically boycott Israel.