THE Labour leadership has succumbed to pressure and suspended MP Chris Williamson after he suggested the party had been "too apologetic" about anti-Semitism in its ranks.
His remarks caused a storm of anger from inside and outwith Labour with calls not just for the Derby North MP and close ally of Jeremy Corbyn to be suspended but also that he be expelled from the party.
Throughout the day, a number of senior figures expressed their fury and dismay at not only Mr Williamson’s remarks but also the leadership’s lack of a willingness to suspend him.
The Derbyshire MP issued a fulsome apology for remarks that many believed went to the nub of the party’s problem: a denial of the extent of racism in its ranks.
In a "personal message and sincere apology from me regarding my recent remarks on anti-Semitism in the Labour Party" posted on Twitter, Mr Williamson declared: "The Labour Party is an anti-racist party. It is the only party that has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with religious and ethnic minorities in their decades-long fight against racism, discrimination and prejudice in the United Kingdom.”
Describing himself as an “anti-racist all my life,” the backbencher pointed out how he was a former member of the Anti-Nazi League, who had participated in direct action to “confront foul anti-Semites in the streets”.
He went on: “I reject racism ethically and morally. It has no place in the Labour Party or in our country.
"It pains me greatly, therefore, that anyone should believe that it is my intention to minimise the cancerous and pernicious nature of anti-Semitism. I deeply regret and apologise for my recent choice of words when speaking about how the Labour Party has responded to the ongoing fight against anti-Semitism inside of our party. I was trying to stress how much the party has done to tackle anti-Semitism.”
Reports claimed that on his way to Mr Corbyn’s office Mr Williamson received a “big hug” from Ian Lavery, the party Chairman.
The Derby North MP was already in hot water with the party hierarchy after he helped arrange the screening at Westminster of a film, entitled Witch Hunt, which defends Jackie Walker, an activist suspended from the party over comments about anti-Semitism.
For some his apology did not wash.
In a Twitter message to Mr Williamson, Labour MP Wes Streeting said: "I do not believe this is sincere. I believe you have deliberately baited Jewish people in our party and across the country.
"You were caught in a moment of honesty, saying what you really think. It was repulsive, revealing and you should be expelled from the Labour Party."
Tom Watson, the deputy party leader also took to social media to say: "Chris Williamson has produced a long-winded and heavily caveated apology. It is not good enough. If it was in my gift I would have removed the whip from him already."
Backbencher Ruth Smeeth branded Mr Williamson a "disgrace" and said he should leave the party.
Her Labour colleague Dame Margaret Hodge told the BBC: "I have written to the chief whip and asked that he should immediately remove the whip from Chris Williamson. I hope the Labour Party will also immediately suspend him from the party."
During PMQs, Theresa May used the issue to berate Jeremy Corbyn, saying: “What we’ve heard sums up Labour under their leader. They lose the honourable member for Liverpool Wavertree[Luciana Berger] and they keep the honourable member for Derby North[Mr Williamson]. It tells you all you need to know about the Labour leadership; present but not involved.”
She added: “Perhaps if the Labour leader actually wants to take action against racism, he would suspend the honourable member for Derby North.”
Mr Corbyn’s spokesman described Mr Williamson’s remarks as “deeply offensive” and which fell below the standard expected of MPs. He made clear the downplaying the problem of anti-Semitism made it harder to tackle.
The spokesman explained the backbencher had been “issued with a notice of investigation for a pattern of behaviour”. But he pointed out he was not being suspended during the investigation.
However, by late afternoon, the position had changed.
Labour HQ announced: “Chris Williamson is suspended from the party and, therefore, the whip, pending investigation." The decision had been taken by Jennie Formby, Labour’s General Secretary.
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