Labour MP Chris Williamson let back in with 'formal warning'

Controversial Labour MP Chris Williamson has been let back in following an investigation into allegations of antisemitism, Jewish News understands.

An NEC antisemitism panel found Williamson breached party rules and issued him with a formal warning, it is understood, as first reported by Politics Home. 

Should he repeat such conduct in future, it is believed Williamson is likely to face further more severe sanctions.

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A Labour Party source said: “An NEC panel, advised by an independent barrister, found Chris Williamson had breached the Party’s rules and gave him a formal sanction. He could face further, more severe, action if he repeats any similar comments or behaviour.”

Williamson was suspended in February over his “pattern of behaviour” after a video emerged of the Derby North MP telling activists the party had been too apologetic over antisemitism.

In response to the announcement, Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge said the party leadership should be “ashamed of themselves” and that the decision suggests the complaints process is a “complete sham”.

“This decision is the complete opposite of a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism,” she said. “Letting Chris Williamson back into Labour shows the party complaints process is a complete sham. Chris has shown a disturbing ‘pattern of behaviour’ when it comes to antisemitism, and yet he has been readmitted simply to garner a vote. The party leadership should all be ashamed of themselves.”

Former Labour MP Ian Austin added: “It is a complete disgrace that Chris Williamson, who has caused huge offence to Jewish people, is let off with just a warning.

“This shows the extent to which a party which had such a proud record of fighting racism has been poisoned under Jeremy Corbyn. The only question is when decent Labour MPs will finally say enough is enough and do something about it”

The revelation also prompted criticism from community leaders, with Jewish Labour Movement National Chair Mike Katz saying: “How dare the Labour Party deny it is institutionally racist against Jews when it decides to take no action against Chris Williamson?”

He added: “It seems the decision to let him off is because he represents a marginal seat and there might be a snap election. It’s good to know that a party of anti-racists, led by an avowed anti-racist decides its OK to ignore anti-Jewish racism if there’s a vote to be won. This decision stinks and shows the moral turpitude the party finds itself in.”

Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman described the announcement as an “utter disgrace” and “yet more damning evidence for the EHRC’s inquiry into antisemitism in the Labour Party.”

She also said: “Despite years of baiting the Jewish community – calling antisemitism allegations ‘proxy wars and bulls**t’, actively supporting people suspended and expelled from the party for antisemitism, attacking the Board of Deputies on the day of the Pittsburgh attack, and saying that Labour has been ‘too apologetic’ over antisemitism, Chris Williamson has reportedly been readmitted to the Labour Party.”

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints extremely seriously, which are investigated in line with our rules and procedures. We can’t comment on individual cases.”

Source: Timesofisrael.com

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