Labour MP says party is 'tearing itself to pieces' after losing vote of confidence
3 min read
A Labour MP who lost a vote of confidence by activists in her constituency has said the party is "tearing itself to pieces and in the process it is tearing down the very people it needs the most".
Joan Ryan, who is also chair of Labour Friends of Israel, said she had been the victim of "a well-organised, secret and long-planned divisive campaign led by party-within-a-party Momentum" in her Enfield North constituency.
The motion of no confidence in her was passed by 94 votes to 92 after she was accused of "smearing" Jeremy Corbyn over her criticisms of his handling of anti-Semitism in the Labour party.
In a statement following her defeat, Ms Ryan - who has insisted she will not resign - said: "This was about anti-Semitism in the Labour party and those of us who have stood by the Jewish community and said 'enough is enough'. I made no apologies last night for that and I make no apologies now.
"I will continue to speak out against anti-Semitism, against the campaign to demonise and delegitimise the world's only Jewish state, and for a Labour party which is true to its values of anti-racism, respect and decency."
She added: "Labour needs to decide: it's either an aspiring party of government focused laser-like on the priorities of the British people - Brexit, an economy which works for everyone, and rebuilding our austerity-starved public services.
"Or it's a party fighting with itself about ideological purity, arguing with the Jewish community about what constitutes anti-Semitism, and going down a rabbit warren of deselection, purges and harassment. It can't be both.
"The Labour party is tearing itself to pieces and in the process it is tearing down the very people it needs the most."
A separate row broke out after proceedings at the Enfield North Constituency Labour Party meeting were broadcast by Iranian state-backed channel Press TV.
Labour MPs lined up to condemn the filming, which is against party rules.
A spokesperson for London Labour said: "Filming of local Labour party meetings is not permitted, and Enfield North will be reminded of this fact."
Meanwhile, a second Labour MP who has criticised Mr Corbyn also lost a vote of confidence by his local party members last night.
Gavin Shuker, who has been Luton South MP since 2010, said it "changes nothing about my role".
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