Tom Watson is only shadow cabinet member to sign Chris Williamson letter

Tom Watson is the only member of the shadow cabinet to have signed a letter demanding Jeremy Corbyn withdraw the whip from Chris Williamson.

The deputy leader and 116 of the party’s MPs and peers urged Corbyn to “show leadership” and overturn the decision to readmit the Derby North MP into the party with a formal warning.

The letter, signed by Lord Levy, Ruth Smeeth, Louise Ellman, Margaret Hodge and Lord Dubs, describes the decision as “inappropriate, offensive and reputationally” and claims the disciplinary process remains mired by the “appearance of political interference”.

“Ultimately, it is for Jeremy Corbyn to decide whether Chris Williamson retains the Labour whip,” the letter reads. “He must remove it immediately if we are to stand any hope of persuading anyone that the Labour Party is taking antisemitism seriously.”

Corbyn insisted he “wasn’t involved in the decision at all. It was an independent panel set up through the national executive. They examined the case and decided to admit him back in, albeit with a reprimand.”

Since his statement, MPs have called for him to take action, with Jess Phillips, who signed the letter, telling the BBC’s Today Programme: “This is a matter of principle about racism, about the Labour Party being the party of equality, the party that is anti-racist. That reputation is slipping away from us every day.”

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Meanwhile Shadow Equalities Minister Dawn Butler was among several members of cabinet challenged on the decision while making media rounds. Speaking to Sky News, she admitted she didn’t “personally agree” with the decision but suggested Corbyn should not intervene in the case.

“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 our breach of our procedures,” she said.

New names being added by the hour to Labour MPs’ and Peers’ statement with @tom_watson on Chris Williamson.

If your MP hasn’t yet signed, don’t assume the worst! Lots of people missed out on the initial round who wanted to sign (and have now). Politely ask them to take a stand. pic.twitter.com/v5cVjplT8B

— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) June 28, 2019

Shadow Attorney General Baroness Shami Chakrabarti, who chaired a review into antisemitism in the party in 2016, refused to clarify her position. Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire during a visit to Lincoln, she said: “If Magna Carta is still worth anything at all, it’s got to be about due process, which means I didn’t see hear the evidence, or the arguments, or the mitigation or whatever, there was a panel that was charged with doing that and I have to really button my lip and respect the process.”

Shami Chakrabarti

Meanwhile Shadow Health Secretary John Healey told the Today Programme: “It does seem to be clear, and it has always been clear to me talking with Jeremy about this, that he is really concerned, and has always been really concerned that not enough is being done.”

The decision to readmit Williamson into the party has caused a backlash, with critics pointing to his record on antisemitism, including his backing a petition in support for the musician Gilad Atzmon, who has been accused of Shoah denial, and his campaign for the reinstatement of Labour activist Marc Wadsworth.

Among those in the Jewish community to express their concern, Simon Johnson, from the Jewish Leadership Council, claimed Williamson has shown no remorse and will offend again.

“This decision beggars belief. The lack of transparency and clarity around the process of why Mr Williamson has had his suspension lifted lends credence as to why the EHRC is investigating whether the Labour Party discriminates against Jewish people,” he added.

Similarly, 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.”