MP Chris Williamson loses bid to be reinstated to Labour
Derby North MP who said Labour had been 'too apologetic' in response to criticism over its handling of antisemitism found out his fate today
Suspended MP Chris Williamson has lost his bid to be reinstated to Labour after he was suspended over allegations of antisemitism.
Williamson was first suspended in February over comments about Labour’s handling of antisemitism complaints and readmitted with a formal warning in June.
The decision, which followed a hearing of a National Executive Committee antisemitism panel, sparked outrage from MPs, peers and Jewish groups.
Williamson was suspended again days later after a second panel reviewed the decision to reinstate him. Labour also imposed a separate suspension on September 3 over additional allegations of misconduct.
Justice Pepperall ruled on Thursday that “the Labour Party acted unfairly in that there was no proper reason for reopening the case against Mr Williamson”.
However, the judge found that 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”.
He added: “I therefore refuse relief in respect of Mr Williamson’s recent re-suspension. The new disciplinary case must run its course.”
The MP took to Twitter to react to the court’s verdict on Thursday, writing: “I know this will be a bitter disappointment to everyone who has supported me in this case.
“This is a damning indictment of our party’s internal disciplinary procedures, which require a total overhaul – towards a fairer, more independent and more democratic system. My suspension must now be lifted.”
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The court has upheld Chris Williamson’s suspension from the Party and has said his disciplinary case must run its course.”
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl welcomed the High Court’s rejection of Williamson’s bid for reinstatement but called for his expulsion “without any further delay.”
The Jewish Labour Movement echoed calls for Williamson’s expulsion, urging Labour to “make it clear that Chris Williamson has no place” in its ranks.
“We need a truly independent disciplinary process, not one that the courts can make a mockery of,” the group added.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
