Dawn Butler: Jeremy Corbyn should not get involved in Chris Williamson decision
Speaking amid growing calls from MPs and staffers, the shadow equalities minister said the leader should make a statement but not intervene
Shadow equalities minister Dawn Butler has said Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn should not intervene in the decision to readmit Chris Williamson.
Speaking to Sky News amid growing pressure from party MPs and staffers, she said: “I think that Jeremy should make a statement in terms of what he thinks about the situation but asking him to get involved is in breach of our procedures.
“I think it’s really important that Jeremy Corbyn doesn’t get involved because all along there’s been discussions about interference from him and his office in cases,” she said.
She admitted that while she didn’t “personally” agree with “what’s happened”, she was not involved in the decision-making.
This comes as more than 100 MPs and Labour staffers signed separate letters demanding Corbyn withdraw the whip from Williamson, including Deputy Leader Tom Watson.
When challenged on the letter, she replied: “Well to be honest with you yesterday I spent most of my time dealing with atrocities around the Windrush scandal and haven’t gone through the letter in great detail.”
Corbyn told ITV News yesterday that he played no part in the move to reinstate Chris Williamson, which was led by an independent panel.
Labour has been approached for comment.
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