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| Labour anti-Semitism row: MPs attack decision on Chris Williamson | Labour anti-Semitism row: MPs attack decision on Chris Williamson |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| More than 100 Labour MPs and peers have criticised the decision to readmit MP Chris Williamson into the party. | More than 100 Labour MPs and peers have criticised the decision to readmit MP Chris Williamson into the party. |
| They expressed "hurt and anger" at the ruling and said Jeremy Corbyn must withdraw the party whip. | They expressed "hurt and anger" at the ruling and said Jeremy Corbyn must withdraw the party whip. |
| The Derby North MP was suspended after saying Labour had "given too much ground" in the face of criticism over anti-Semitism in the party. | The Derby North MP was suspended after saying Labour had "given too much ground" in the face of criticism over anti-Semitism in the party. |
| Eleven frontbenchers, including deputy leader Tom Watson, are among those criticising the ruling. | Eleven frontbenchers, including deputy leader Tom Watson, are among those criticising the ruling. |
| A statement signed by 118 Labour parliamentarians says that, as Labour is being investigated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission over allegations of anti-Semitism, the case is "particularly important". | |
| They criticise the process by which Mr Williamson was allowed back into the party, adding: "It is clear to us that the Labour Party's disciplinary process remains mired by the appearance of political interference. This must stop. We need a truly independent process." | They criticise the process by which Mr Williamson was allowed back into the party, adding: "It is clear to us that the Labour Party's disciplinary process remains mired by the appearance of political interference. This must stop. We need a truly independent process." |
| They called on Mr Corbyn to "show leadership" by asking for this "damaging decision to be overturned and reviewed". | They called on Mr Corbyn to "show leadership" by asking for this "damaging decision to be overturned and reviewed". |
| Mr Watson told the BBC he was "bewildered by the decision" to readmit Mr Williamson. | Mr Watson told the BBC he was "bewildered by the decision" to readmit Mr Williamson. |
| "They have taken away a proper disciplinary inquiry that would have got to the facts of this case. That's why I've put my name to a letter," he said. | "They have taken away a proper disciplinary inquiry that would have got to the facts of this case. That's why I've put my name to a letter," he said. |
| "The upset and the anger is so great, we need to act swiftly." | "The upset and the anger is so great, we need to act swiftly." |
| Separately more than 70 Labour staff members have signed a letter to the party's general secretary Jennie Formby to express their dismay at the decision. | Separately more than 70 Labour staff members have signed a letter to the party's general secretary Jennie Formby to express their dismay at the decision. |
| But, speaking before the publication of the letter, Mr Corbyn said he had not been involved in the decision to readmit Mr Williamson. | But, speaking before the publication of the letter, Mr Corbyn said he had not been involved in the decision to readmit Mr Williamson. |
| "It was an independent panel set up through [Labour's ruling body] the National Executive. They examined the case, they decided to let him back in, albeit with a reprimand." | "It was an independent panel set up through [Labour's ruling body] the National Executive. They examined the case, they decided to let him back in, albeit with a reprimand." |
| He said the party deals with anti-Semitism "very, very serious" and there was no place for it. | He said the party deals with anti-Semitism "very, very serious" and there was no place for it. |
| "And anyone that makes anti-Semitic remarks can expect at the very least to be reprimanded and if they are very serious and engaged in anti-Semitic activity then they will be expelled from the party," he said. | "And anyone that makes anti-Semitic remarks can expect at the very least to be reprimanded and if they are very serious and engaged in anti-Semitic activity then they will be expelled from the party," he said. |
| Who is Chris Williamson? | Who is Chris Williamson? |
| Mr Williamson was readmitted to Labour on Wednesday, following his suspension in February. | Mr Williamson was readmitted to Labour on Wednesday, following his suspension in February. |
| He was suspended following publication of footage showing Mr Williamson telling activists Labour had been "too apologetic" over anti-Semitism and was being "demonised as a racist, bigoted party". | He was suspended following publication of footage showing Mr Williamson telling activists Labour had been "too apologetic" over anti-Semitism and was being "demonised as a racist, bigoted party". |
| He later said he "deeply" regretted the remarks and did not want anyone to think he was "minimising the cancer of anti-Semitism". | He later said he "deeply" regretted the remarks and did not want anyone to think he was "minimising the cancer of anti-Semitism". |
| After his readmission, he told BBC Radio Derby: "Anybody who knows me, who knows my record, knows I'm someone who has stood up against bigotry throughout my political life and indeed beforehand." | After his readmission, he told BBC Radio Derby: "Anybody who knows me, who knows my record, knows I'm someone who has stood up against bigotry throughout my political life and indeed beforehand." |
| A Labour source said Mr Williamson had been found to have breached party rules and given a formal sanction. | A Labour source said Mr Williamson had been found to have breached party rules and given a formal sanction. |
| They said he could face further action if he repeats any similar behaviour. | They said he could face further action if he repeats any similar behaviour. |
| But there has been strong criticism of Mr Williamson's readmission from several Labour figures, including MP Dame Margaret Hodge, who described the decision as "appalling, outrageous and unacceptable". | But there has been strong criticism of Mr Williamson's readmission from several Labour figures, including MP Dame Margaret Hodge, who described the decision as "appalling, outrageous and unacceptable". |
| Another MP, Wes Streeting, told BBC News one of his own local party members had described the ruling as "like a punch in the stomach" and accused Mr Williamson of downplaying and dismissing concerns about anti-Semitism. | Another MP, Wes Streeting, told BBC News one of his own local party members had described the ruling as "like a punch in the stomach" and accused Mr Williamson of downplaying and dismissing concerns about anti-Semitism. |
| The Equalities and Human Rights Commission confirmed in May it would be launching a probe into whether Labour had "unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people because they are Jewish". | The Equalities and Human Rights Commission confirmed in May it would be launching a probe into whether Labour had "unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people because they are Jewish". |