Labour suspends local chair after ‘unacceptable atmosphere’ at online meeting

The chair of Nottingham East’s Constituency Labour Party has been suspended after a Jewish party member felt “they had no choice but to leave” an online meeting.

The suspension of Louise Regan is understood to be linked to a decision to press ahead with a motion which included a call for the party whip to be restored to Jeremy Corbyn.

Labour is also believed to be looking into an allegation that a man who took part in Friday night’s meeting had verbally abused a Jewish party member.

Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome described the “atmosphere and tone” of the Constituency Labour Party (CLP) meeting as “wholly unacceptable”.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Ms Whittome said she had made contact with and was prioritising the welfare of a party member who had staged a virtual walk-out.

The Labour MP also expressed disappointment that the “out of order” motion supporting Mr Corbyn, which was passed by the meeting, had been called.

The motion also demanded the removal of Labour’s General Secretary from his post, as well as the lifting of actual and threatened disciplinary action from CLPs, CLP officers and individual members “for discussing Jeremy Corbyn’s suspension”.

Ms Whittome’s statement read: “I am disappointed that a motion that was clearly out of order made its way on to the agenda of the Nottingham East CLP meeting this evening which I attended.

“I take the EHRC report into Labour antisemitism very seriously, as should all our members given the pain caused to Jewish communities and that the report found the Labour Party to have broken the law.

“The atmosphere and tone of the meeting that proceeded was wholly unacceptable, leading to a Jewish member of the Labour Party feeling they had no choice but to leave the meeting.

“I have communicated with the member in question and will continue to make sure his wellbeing is prioritised by the party.”

The MP said she understood that disciplinary proceedings were currently under way against an officer of the CLP.

Ms Whittome added: “In the spirit of the EHRC report, which requires an independent process, I will be making no further comment on the disciplinary aspect of tonight’s events other than to reiterate the importance and urgency of ensuring all members are comfortable and welcome at CLP and branch meetings and that the spirit and letter of the EHRC report is respected and fully implemented at every level of the Party.”

A Labour spokesperson said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate action is taken.”