Chris Williamson has been suspended by the Labour party just two days after it readmitted him following a four-month inquiry into allegations of anti-Semitism.
Mr Williamson, MP for Derby North, was originally suspended in February after suggesting that Labour had “given too much ground” and been “too apologetic” over the issue of anti-Jewish sentiment among some members.
He was allowed back into Labour on Wednesday after a decision by a subgroup of the party’s ruling National Executive Committee. A discipline panel found he broke Labour rules and issued him with a “formal warning” while also restoring his membership.
More than 100 Labour MPs and MEPS had signed a letter calling on Jeremy Corbyn to reverse the decision to reinstate his old ally.
It emerged on Friday night that Mr Williamson had again been suspended after issues were raised by Keith Vaz, an MP who sits on the investigation panel. Mr Vaz had called for a fresh inquiry because he was concerned that the leak of the decision had undermined the “complete integrity of the process”.
The saga is awkward for Mr Corbyn because Mr Williamson is one of his fiercest defenders. The Equality and Human Rights Commission recently opened an investigation into allegations of anti-Semitism within the Labour party.
A Labour party source said that Jennie Formby, general secretary, had written to the NEC to inform them that the issues raised in Mr Vaz’s email would be discussed at the next meeting of the NEC Disputes Committee.
“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,” he said.
“Subsequently, the whip is not restored as the decision is still pending.”
