Chris Williamson: Labour U-turn over decision to readmit antisemitism row MP

Labour has been forced into an embarrassing U-turn over a decision to reinstate left-wing MP Chris Williamson, who had been suspended in an antisemitism row.

After a furious backlash, led by deputy leader Tom Watson, the party announced that Mr Williamson's readmission will now be reconsidered and he remains suspended - a decision he said he would do his "utmost to fight".

Mr Williamson, MP for Derby North and one of Jeremy Corbyn's most vocal cheerleaders, was suspended in February after claiming Labour had been "too apologetic" about antisemitism.

But this week he had his suspension lifted, triggering an open revolt against Mr Corbyn, in which more than 100 MPs and peers demanded his expulsion from the party.

Then came an extraordinary intervention from the senior Labour MP Keith Vaz, who sat on the disputes panel that made the controversial decision, calling for Mr Williamson's case to be re-examined.

That prompted an announcement from the party that Labour's general secretary, Corbyn ally Jennie Formby, had ordered a new probe by the body that investigates discipline and complaints.

"Jennie Formby has written to the NEC to inform them that the issues raised in Keith Vaz's email will be on the agenda for the NEC disputes committee's next meeting," said a leadership source.

"Under the party's rule book, the general secretary and the leader of the party cannot overturn decisions made by NEC panels, which are advised by independent barristers. Only the NEC has the power to do so.

"Subsequently, the whip is not restored as the decision is still pending."

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Mr Williamson responded in a tweet saying "a week is a long time in politics", adding "it seems two days is even longer".

"I'm naturally concerned by the lack of due process and consistency in how my case is being handled, " he said.

In a letter to Ms Formby that appeared to have led to the U-turn, Mr Vaz revealed a bizarre set of circumstances leading to the bitterly-disputed decision to re-instate Mr Williamson.

He said: "Further to our conversation, as you know yesterday I was asked to serve at short notice on an antisemitism panel as a panel member had pulled out.

"I agreed and went urgently to Southside despite having medical treatment that day, which continued after the meeting."

Mr Vaz said comments had been selectively leaked to the media and there had been a breach of confidentiality which meant the party could potentially face a legal challenge.

He added: "The disciplinary process involved extremely serious matters. The process needs to be fair to all and to be seen to be fair and all must be treated equally and no favour should be shown to anyone.

"In my view, having served on the NEC for 15 years I consider the decisions the panel made yesterday cannot stand.

"In order to ensure complete integrity of the proves either a new panel should be convened or all the cases from yesterday should be referred to the disputed committee for reconsideration."

Another key intervention leading to the U-turn came from Jon Lansman, founder of the grassroots Momentum group, and now an influential member of Labour's ruling national executive.

Mr Lansman, who is Jewish, said that after the decision to re-instate him Mr Williamson had not shown "one iota of contrition", after the MP claimed he had received "an avalanche of goodwill messages".

Another Corbyn ally, shadow equalities minister Dawn Butler, told Sky News: "I think that Jeremy should make a statement in terms of what he thinks about the situation, but asking him to get involved is in breach of our procedures - as leader he should not be getting involved in disciplinary matters."

There is also still pressure from Labour MPs to have Mr Williamson suspended from the parliamentary party. More than 60 MPs have signed a motion calling for him to have the whip withdrawn for 12 months.

The motion calls for his case to be referred to the parliamentary committee - the influential backbench body which meets weekly with Mr Corbyn - at its next meeting on Wednesday.

If approved it would then go a vote of the full PLP at Westminster the following week. Signatories to the motion include Yvette Cooper, Dame Margaret Hodge, Wes Streeting and David Lammy.

Mr Williamson was suspended after footage emerged of him telling a meeting of the Momentum group that Labour's reaction to antisemitism allegations had led to the party being "demonised".

He was also filmed saying he had celebrated the resignation of MP Joan Ryan, who quit Labour in protest over the handling of antisemitism and bullying complaints.