Chris Williamson faces new anti-Semitism row hearing that could see him EXPELLED from Labour

Labour Lords a-leaping: Three peers including ex-party boss quit party over anti-Semitism warning that it is not politically SAFE for Jews under Jeremy Corbyn as leader’s ally Chris Williamson faces new hearing that could see him expelled

  • Lord Triesman, a former general secretary of the party under Tony Blair, walked out today saying he felt ‘sickened’
  • He was followed out by Lord Darzi and former doctor Lord Turnberg
  • Derby North MP will remain suspended pending the outcome of the hearing
  • He had been let off with a warning, prompting uproar among MPs and party staff
  • Had alleged Labour had been too apologetic about anti-Semitism claims 

Lord Triesman was general secretary of the Labour Party under Tony Blair and chairman of the Football Association.

Three Labour lords walked out on the party with a furious broadside at its anti-Semitism crisis today, with one warning that it was no longer a safe place politically for Jews.

Lord Triesman, a former general secretary of the party under Tony Blair, walked out today saying he felt ‘sickened’ by the party under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.

He was followed out by Lord Darzi, whose family survived the Armenian Genocide in Turkey a century ago, and former doctor Lord Turnberg. 

 Lord Triesman resigned the whip saying ‘we may one day be the party of anti-racism once again but it certainly isn’t today’. 

It came as MP Chris Williamson, an ally of the party leader, was ordered to face a fresh review of anti-Semitism claims after a previous decision to let him off with a warning prompted an outcry.

In a letter seen by the BBC’s Newsnight Lord Triesman, who was also a junior minister under Gordon Brown, said: ‘My sad conclusion is that the Labour Party is very plainly institutionally anti-Semitic, and its leader and his circle are anti-Semitic, having never once made the right judgement call about an issue reflecting deep prejudice.

‘The number of cases is shocking. It is not longer a safe political environment for Jewish people or other opponents of anti-Semitism.

I always said it was worth hanging on to fight so long as there was a prospect of winning. I now don’t believe with this leadership there is.’ 

Lord Darzi told Newsnight: 'I confirm I am leaving the Labour Whip to sit as independent'

Lord Darzi told Newsnight: ‘I confirm I am leaving the Labour Whip to sit as independent’

Mr Williamson was cleared for reinstatement into the parliamentary party after being suspended for after a pattern of behaviour that included saying the party was 'too apologetic' about cases of Jew-hate

Mr Williamson was cleared for reinstatement into the parliamentary party after being suspended for after a pattern of behaviour that included saying the party was ‘too apologetic’ about cases of Jew-hate

Lord Darzi told Newsnight: ‘I confirm I am leaving the Labour Whip to sit as independent.

‘As an Armenian survivor of the Armenian genocide I have zero, tolerance to anti-Semitism, Islamophobia or any other discrimination against religion or race. 

‘This decision has not been lightly taken.’

Chris Williamson will remain suspended from Labour pending the outcome of a hearing understood to be taking place as soon as possible following a decision by the party’s disputes panel this morning.

The Derby North MP had been cleared for reinstatement into the parliamentary party after being suspended for after a pattern of behaviour that included saying the party was ‘too apologetic’ about cases of Jew-hate in February.

But that prompted more than 120 MPs and 100 staff led by deputy leader Tom Watson to demand stronger action be taken.

This morning there were protests outside Labour headquarters by supporters of the 62-year-old who feel he is the victim of a witch hunt.

This morning there were protests outside Labour headquarters by supporters of the 62-year-old who feel he is the victim of a witch hunt.

This morning there were protests outside Labour headquarters by supporters of the 62-year-old who feel he is the victim of a witch hunt.

A host of shadow cabinet ministers criticised the decision last month to reinstate Mr Williamson, including frontbench allies of Mr Corbyn including Rebecca Long-Bailey, Angela Rayner and Jon Ashworth.

And there was fury as a pregnant Labour MP faced a deselection threat for opposing Mr Williamson’s readmission. 

A pro-Williamson protester at Labour HQ this morning

A pro-Williamson protester at Labour HQ this morning

Lewisham West and Penge MP Ellie Reeves, 38, is under pressure from members of her constituency Labour Party after she was among a group of 121 Labour MPs and peers who called for Mr Williamson to lose the whip. 

This morning more than 100 Jewish activists wrote tot he Guardian newspaper in support of Mr Williamson.

The group, led by left wing American political activist Noam Chumsky and including comic Alexei Sayle, wrote that Williamson had ‘correctly stated that the Labour party has done more than any other party to combat the scourge of anti-Semitism and that, therefore, its stance should be less apologetic.’ 

‘Such attacks on Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters aim to undermine not only the party’s leadership but also all pro-Palestinian members,’ they added.

 

 

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