Anti-Semitism row MP Chris Williamson suspended again — just 48 hours after Labour bosses had lifted his ban
ANTI-semitism row MP Chris Williamson was tonight suspended again just 48 hours after Labour Party bosses had lifted his ban. Labour performed a dramatic U-turn amid unprecedented outrage from hundreds of MPs and peers that Williamson had been allowed back in with just a slap on the wrist. He was suspended again on Friday night […]
ANTI-semitism row MP Chris Williamson was tonight suspended again just 48 hours after Labour Party bosses had lifted his ban.
Labour performed a dramatic U-turn amid unprecedented outrage from hundreds of MPs and peers that Williamson had been allowed back in with just a slap on the wrist.
He was suspended again on Friday night just 48 hours after being readmitted, and his case will now be considered again by the Opposition’s ruling body.
And the saga will also be looked at as part of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s inquiry into whether Labour has unlawfully discriminated against Jews.
It raises the prospect that he may not be able to stand for the party at the next general election as MPs have to say if they want to be re-selected as a candidate within days.
On Friday night senior Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge told The Sun: “If it hadn’t been for the loud voices right across the party, nothing would have been done.
“It will be beyond belief if they do anything other than expel him now.”
Mr Williamson, hard-left MP for Derby North and a close ally of leader Jeremy Corbyn, was suspended in February for a “pattern of behaviour” that included him telling activists the party had been “too apologetic” over anti-Semitism claims.
WILLIAMSON READMISSION FURY
There was fury on Wednesday when he was readmitted after just being issued with a formal warning for breaching rules.
A three-person panel of the National Executive Committee (NEC) made the decision despite calls for the case to be considered by the more senior National Constitution Committee.
In the wake of the shock ruling, more than 140 MPs and peers led by deputy leader Tom Watson signed a letter demanding Mr Corbyn “show leadership” and remove the whip “immediately”.
Dozens more party staff also wrote to say that Mr Williamson had shown “contempt for the Jewish community” and that letting him off with a warning was “inadequate”.
Others urged the parliamentary party to use its own rule book to kick him out.
Even senior figure Keith Vaz – who had been on the panel that lifted the suspension – said it should be looked at again.
On Friday Labour’s Brexit chief Sir Keir Starmer heaped on the pressure by writing that he was “deeply concerned” about the decision to let Mr Williamson back in the party, and that it should be considered by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission as part of its landmark inquiry.
And eventually the party’s General Secretary Jennie Formby caved and agreed the shamed MP would be suspended again while his case was reconsidered at a meeting on July 9th.
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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.”
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