90 Labour MPs and peers condemn Williamson ‘antisemitism’ decision

Ninety Labour MPs and peers have signed an open letter condemning the decision to lift the suspension of Chris Williamson.

Party deputy leader Tom Watson was among dozens of senior figures who spoke of their “hurt and anger” at the move, which followed a row over antisemitism.

Mr Williamson, the MP for Derby North and a former shadow spokesman, was suspended in February after claiming the party had been “too apologetic” about its handling of antisemitism allegations.

On Wednesday, the MP had his suspension lifted after a hearing of Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) antisemitism panel.

Mr Watson told Sky News he was “bewildered” by the decision, which he said was “made by only two members of a three person panel of our NEC”, and said those who signed the letter were “shocked by it because we know the offence caused by Chris Williamson to the Jewish community in Britain”.

“The magnitude of the upset and the anger was palpable when he was suspended and therefore it obviously required a full inquiry,” he said.

“Their decision has stopped that from happening, it’s closed down the party procedure, which is a great shame and very regrettable and it’s the wrong decision.”

Mr Watson said he had not spoken to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn about the decision, but called on him to “step in and remove the whip and ask our chief whip to investigate and do a parliamentary inquiry through the parliamentary party”.

He added: “I don’t want this century old institution to be tainted. These two committee members have let half a million party members down in their decision and it’s completely wrong.”

:: Listen to Any Other Business on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Spreaker

The letter, also signed by Stella Creasy, Yvette Cooper, Owen Smith, Liz Kendall, Stephen Kinnock, Chris Bryant and around 83 others, said: “We cannot overstate the depth and breadth of hurt and anger felt about the readmission of Chris Williamson into the Labour Party and the questions that arise about the fairness of the process.

“The officer recommendation – that Mr Williamson should be referred to the National Constitutional Committee for action – was ignored by the members of the NEC panel.

“That the composition of that panel was changed at short notice seems highly irregular. Justice needs to be seen to be done and this process has not done that.”

The letter goes on to accuse the Labour disciplinary process of being “mired by the appearance of political interference” and calls on Mr Corbyn to “show leadership” by getting the decision overturned.

It says: “Ultimately, it is for the Jeremy Corbyn to decide whether Chris Williamson retains the Labour whip. he must remove it immediately if we are to stand any hope of persuading anyone that the Labour Party is taking antisemitism seriously.”

The letter heaps further pressure on Mr Corbyn, who has come under repeated attack for his apparent failure to get to grips with allegations of antisemitism in the party.

The Labour leader, in Hartlepool to visit a military museum and veterans for Armed Forces Week, told reporters he was not involved in the decision.

He said: “It was an independent panel set up through the national executive, they examined the case and they’ve decided to let him back in, albeit with a reprimand.

“They went through the case, they interviewed him and they went through the case in great detail. The three of them on the panel made that decision.”

In the original video, obtained by the Yorkshire Post, Mr Williamson was heard telling Momentum activists: “I think our party’s response has been partly responsible for that because in my opinion… we’ve backed off too much, we’ve given too much ground, we’ve been too apologetic.”

When asked whether Labour’s antisemitism complaints procedure was fit for purpose, Mr Corbyn said: “We deal with antisemitism very, very seriously, there is no place for antisemitism in our society and obviously not in our party as well.

“Anyone that makes antisemitic remarks can expect to be at the very least reprimanded and, if they are very serious and they engage in antisemitic activity, then they are expelled from the party.”

On Thursday morning, Mr Williamson tweeted his thanks for messages of support.

He said: “I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks for the avalanche of goodwill messages from grassroots members. I can now focus on representing local people in Derby Nth and working for a Corbyn-led Labour govt to positively transform the lives of millions. Together anything is possible!”

(c) Sky News 2019: 90 Labour MPs and peers condemn Williamson ‘antisemitism’ decision