Politics

Labour chaos: Chris Williamson suspended again – Party's investigation descends into farce


On Wednesday it was announced that Chris Williamson had been readmitted to the Labour Party following a four-month suspension for saying the party was being “too apologetic” about anti-Semitism allegations. However, following outcry from both the party’s MPs and the wider public, it has now been announced Mr Williamson will not have the whip automatically restored to him. A Labour Party source said: “Jennie Formby has written to the NEC to inform them that the issues raised in Keith Vaz’s email will be on the agenda for the NEC Disputes Committee’s next meeting.

“Under the party’s rule book, the general secretary and the leader of the party cannot overturn decisions made by NEC panels, which are advised by independent barristers. Only the NEC has the power to do so.

“Subsequently, the whip is not restored as the decision is still pending.”

More than 60 MPs have signed a motion calling for a vote in the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) on withdrawing the whip from Mr Williamson for up to a year for bringing the party into disrepute.

The motion calls or the case to be referred to the parliamentary committee – the influential backbench body which meets every week with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Its next meeting is on Wednesday.

If approved, under standing orders, it would then go a vote of the full PLP at Westminster.

The motion says: “Due to the exceptional circumstances in this case we are of the view that the allegation of bringing the Labour Party into disrepute made against Chris Williamson warrants an investigation by the parliamentary committee under this standing order and full consideration given to a recommendation of removal of the whip to the PLP.

“We therefore seek to ask the PLP to take action to suspend the whip from Chris Williamson for a period of a year.”

Signatories to the motion include Yvette Cooper, Dame Margaret Hodge, Wes Streeting, David Lammy and Diana Johnson.

Mr Williamson would be entitled to make representations to the parliamentary committee before his case is referred to the PLP.

In February, Mr Williamson had been suspended after video footage emerged of him saying Labour had been “too apologetic” following criticism of the party’s handling of anti-Semitism complaints.

The latest move to have him suspended from the PLP came after as Labour descended into further chaos after Mr Corbyn ignored calls, led by the party’s deputy leader Tom Watson, to withdraw the whip himself.

A Labour source told the Press Association that Mr Corbyn was not involved in the party’s disciplinary processes or individual cases.

The source said: “It would be wholly inappropriate for a leader to pick and choose cases in the way that is being demanded,” the source said.

“Several of the MPs who have signed (Mr Watson’s statement) have in the past argued against political interference.”

But the pressure on the Labour leader to take action himself increased after one of his key allies said Mr Williamson “has to go”.

Jon Lansman, the founder of the grassroots Momentum group, attacked the Labour MP for not showing “one iota of contrition” after saying the party had been “too apologetic” for the way it has dealt with anti-Semitism in its ranks.

Mr Williamson said he had received an “avalanche” of support from grassroots members following the panel’s ruling.

But in response, Mr Lansman tweeted: “This tweet reveals not one iota of contrition nor any acknowledgement of wrongdoing following a further formal warning from the Labour Party for behaviour grossly detrimental to the party. Such contempt for the party’s verdict! He has to go!”



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