Campaigners raise over £31,000 in two days for Chris Williamson to sue Labour

Campaigners have raised over £31,000 in two days for the suspended MP Chris Williamson to finance a legal challenge against the Labour Party.

Campaign for Chris Williamson says it has raised £31,157 of its £75,000 target since launching the page on Tuesday.

“With a heavy heart and after months of personal distress, Chris has been forced to take legal action against the party that he has dedicated his life to,” the appeal states.

“This could be a long and costly legal battle. We need your help to cover the immediate costs of the legal case and campaign,” it reads.

Countdown star Rachel Riley tweeted yesterday: “Over £25k raised in as many hours now for Labour antisemitism fans to sue themselves. They’ve officially lost the plot. It’s Carry on Comrades.”

Williamson was first suspended in February after he told Momentum activists the party was being “demonised” over the antisemitism row.

But the suspension was lifted with a formal warning in July by a panel of Labour’s National Executive Committee – only to be reimposed two days later after public outcry. The case is currently being considered by a new antisemitism panel.

A source close to the MP for Derby North told the Press Association this week that legal papers had been filed in court, but provided no further details.

Williamson said he hoped the court battle would “overturn the unconstitutional decision” to reimpose his suspension from the “party I love”.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Chris Williamson is suspended from the Labour Party pending a hearing of the National Constitutional Committee, Labour’s highest disciplinary body. We do not give a running commentary on individual cases.”

It is understood Labour are confident there are no grounds for a successful legal challenge.

Labour has been approached for comment.