Jeremy Corbyn dismisses calls for him to intervene in Chris Williamson row
3 min read
Jeremy Corbyn has dismissed calls for him to intervene in the decision to re-admit Chris Williamson to the Labour party.
The Labour leader has come under intense pressure to remove the party whip from the controversial Derby North MP, who had his suspension lifted by a National Executive Committee panel on Wednesday.
Mr Williamson was investigated over a "pattern of behaviour" in which he had been accused of anti-semitism.
Although Labour staff had recommended that he be referred to the next stage of the party's disciplinary process, the three-person panel dedided to let him off with a formal warning.
More than 120 Labour MPs and peers have put their names on a statement saying Mr Corbyn must immediately remove the whip from Mr Williamson "if we are to stand any hope of persuading anyone that the Labour party is taking anti-semitism seriously".
Nearly 100 Labour staff members have also written to Jennie Formby, the party's general secretary, urging her to launch a review of the decision to let Mr Williamson back in.
They they would be "made to feel unwelcome by his presence whilst at work" unless the decision to lift his suspension is not overturned.
And in a further twist, Keith Vaz MP - who sat on the panel which re-admitted Mr Williamson and voted to let him back into the party - also wrote to Ms Formby saying it should be overturned.
But a source close to Mr Corbyn said it would be "wholly inappropriate" for the party leader to get involved in the case.
They said: "Under the party’s rule book, the general secretary cannot overturn the decision of an NEC panel. Staff make recommendations to the NEC panel under the delegated authority of the general secretary but only the NEC panel has the power to make the decision.
"The leader of the party is not involved in disciplinary processes or individual cases, which are independent of the leader. It would be wholly inappropriate for a leader to pick and choose cases in the way that is being demanded.
"Several of the MPs who have signed have in the past argued against political interference."
The comments are likely to further inflame the tensions within the party which have emerged since the panel's decision was revealed by PoliticsHome.
One senior MP said: "There is moral weakness everywhere."
Reacting to his readmission on Twitter, Mr Williamson 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!"
But NEC member Jon Lansman - a close political ally of Mr Corbyn - responded: "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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