Momentum branch rapped by bosses after Facebook post backing deselections
2 min read
A Momentum branch has been rapped by the organisation's bosses over a Facebook post which appeared to back the deselection of Labour MPs.
The Redcar, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland offshoot of the pro-Jeremy Corbyn group backed comments made recently by Ken Loach.
The award-winning film director, a major supporter of the Labour leader, said: "We need representatives in parliament that are committed to this programme and will not work against it."
However, they were forced to take down the post - which was on the branch's Facebook page for more than a week before being highlighted by the ConservativeHome website - after being contacted by Momentum's HQ.
A Momentum spokesman said: "In a growing social movement of more than 27,000 members and nearly 150 local groups, people make mistakes and occasionally post things that aren't in line with Momentum's national policy.
"When we are made of aware of these posts, we contact the local group and ask them to take it down. In this case, Momentum Redcar, Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland were happy to remove the post as they recognised that the views expressed in the article were in no way a reflection of Momentum's national policy."
The controversy came after Momentum's South Tyneside branch was forced to take down a list of 49 moderate Labour MPs who they said should "join the Liberals if they won't want us to hold on to millions of working class votes".
Senior Labour figures have moved to distance themselves from calls for disloyal MPs to be deselected and replaced with supporters of Mr Corbyn.
Shadow Fire Minister Chris Williamson, a close ally of the leader, said MPs who are not supportive should not expect a "job for life".
But Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer said Labour should be "dignified and united" and instead focus on taking on the Conservatives.
And Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner said: "Anyone who talks of deselecting any of my colleagues, quite frankly, they need to think about actually, who are the real enemy here?
"Who are making the problems for our communities at the moment? Who have made those disastrous policies that are hurting the people that need us the most? It doesn’t help them if we’re fighting each other."
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