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MP Chris Williamson loses anti-Semitism suspension appeal | MP Chris Williamson loses anti-Semitism suspension appeal |
(about 3 hours later) | |
An MP has lost his High Court bid to be reinstated to the Labour Party after he was suspended in an anti-Semitism row. | An MP has lost his High Court bid to be reinstated to the Labour Party after he was suspended in an anti-Semitism row. |
Chris Williamson was suspended in February after claiming Labour had "been too apologetic" in its response to criticism of handling allegations. | Chris Williamson was suspended in February after claiming Labour had "been too apologetic" in its response to criticism of handling allegations. |
He was reinstated in June but was suspended again after a backlash from MPs, peers and Jewish groups. | He was reinstated in June but was suspended again after a backlash from MPs, peers and Jewish groups. |
However the judge also ruled Labour acted unlawfully when it reopened the disciplinary case against the MP. | However the judge also ruled Labour acted unlawfully when it reopened the disciplinary case against the MP. |
The Derby North MP, who raised more than £60,000 to fund his legal challenge, remains suspended from the party but he said he would continue to fight to clear his name. | |
'No reason for reopening case' | 'No reason for reopening case' |
In his ruling, Mr Justice Pepperall said the Labour Party "acted unfairly in that there was no proper reason for reopening the case against Mr Williamson". | In his ruling, Mr Justice Pepperall said the Labour Party "acted unfairly in that there was no proper reason for reopening the case against Mr Williamson". |
However, he said there was "nothing in the new allegations, the timing of the letter of 3 September or the decision to suspend that entitles me to take the view upon the papers that the Labour party is acting either unfairly or other than in good faith". | However, he said there was "nothing in the new allegations, the timing of the letter of 3 September or the decision to suspend that entitles me to take the view upon the papers that the Labour party is acting either unfairly or other than in good faith". |
"I therefore refuse relief in respect of Mr Williamson's recent re-suspension. The new disciplinary case must run its course." | "I therefore refuse relief in respect of Mr Williamson's recent re-suspension. The new disciplinary case must run its course." |
Mr Justice Pepperall said: "It is important to stress at the outset of this judgement that this case is not about whether Mr Williamson is, or is not, anti-Semitic or even whether he has, or has not, breached the rules of the Labour Party. | Mr Justice Pepperall said: "It is important to stress at the outset of this judgement that this case is not about whether Mr Williamson is, or is not, anti-Semitic or even whether he has, or has not, breached the rules of the Labour Party. |
"The issue is whether the party has acted lawfully in its investigation and prosecution of such charges against Mr Williamson." | "The issue is whether the party has acted lawfully in its investigation and prosecution of such charges against Mr Williamson." |
Outside the court, Mr Williamson called the judgement a "clear victory for justice and due process" after his suspension was deemed unlawful. | Outside the court, Mr Williamson called the judgement a "clear victory for justice and due process" after his suspension was deemed unlawful. |
He said it was a "damning indictment of our party's internal disciplinary procedures" and that the party's bureaucracy "had been defeated in the courts". | He said it was a "damning indictment of our party's internal disciplinary procedures" and that the party's bureaucracy "had been defeated in the courts". |
However, he added: "I never expected, nor wanted, to be in a position where I was forced to take legal action against the party to which I have devoted my life." | However, he added: "I never expected, nor wanted, to be in a position where I was forced to take legal action against the party to which I have devoted my life." |
The party member of nearly 44 years said he believed his suspension was down to "forces hostile to Jeremy Corbyn's leadership". | The party member of nearly 44 years said he believed his suspension was down to "forces hostile to Jeremy Corbyn's leadership". |
A Labour Party spokeswoman said: "The court has upheld Chris Williamson's suspension from the party and has said his disciplinary case must run its course." | A Labour Party spokeswoman said: "The court has upheld Chris Williamson's suspension from the party and has said his disciplinary case must run its course." |
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. |