News
Activist Marc Wadsworth expelled from Labour Party after antisemitism inquiry
Expulsion comes after confrontation with MP Ruth Smeeth
April 27, 2018 11:29
Expulsion comes after confrontation with MP Ruth Smeeth
April 27, 2018 11:29Reports are just emerging that former Labour activist Marc Wadsworth has been expelled from the Labour party after launching a verbal attack on MP Ruth Smeeth at the launch of a party report into antisemitism.
Mr Wadsworth is one of the most high-profile cases put before the party’s national constitutional committee (NCC). The Labour Party confirmed that the NCC found Mr Wadsworth had breached of rule 2.1.8 of the Labour Party rulebook.
The Jewish Labour movement have welcomed the decision. A spokesperson said: “This case, dating back to the Chakrabarti Inquiry launch, is symptomatic of the ongoing delays in resolving disciplinary matters.
“We now need to see sustained action, including on Livingstone and Walker."
“We welcome the decision to expel Marc Wadsworth. This case, dating back to the very day of the Chakrabarti Inquiry launch, is symptomatic of the ongoing delays in resolving disciplinary matters (1/2)
— JewishLabourMovement (@JewishLabour) April 27, 2018
Mr Wadsworth was suspended in 2016 after accusing Jewish MP Ruth Smeeth of collaborating with the Daily Telegraph.
His challenge to the MP, at the June launch event of Shami Chakrabarti’s report into Jew-hatred in Labour, caused outrage among moderate party members and the Jewish community.
Mr Wadsworth’s hearing had been due to take place in January but it was delayed.
At the June 2016 event, the Labour leader was filmed laughing and joking with Mr Wadsworth after Ms Smeeth had fled the room in tears.
Video footage taken at the event showed the two men together and appeared to show Mr Wadsworth telling Mr Corbyn: “I outed Smeeth, bloody talking to the Torygraph.”
Mr Corbyn did not respond but later appeared to say: “I sent you a text.”
Following the furore, Mr Wadsworth later said he had no idea Ms Smeeth was Jewish.
Ruth Smeeth's statement on the NCC decision:
My statement on today's NCC decision: pic.twitter.com/EY7uyhjyh7
— Ruth Smeeth MP (@RuthSmeeth) April 27, 2018
Labour MP Chris Williamson said he was dissapointed about the news.
Very disappointed to hear the news that veteran anti-racist campaigner, @Marcwads has been expelled from the Labour Party by the party's National Constitutional Committee. Here is my statement on the matter https://t.co/1qphUKClSk
— Chris Williamson MP (@DerbyChrisW) April 27, 2018
According to reports Mr Wadsworth says his expulsion from Labour is based on a process that is “not fit for purpose” and plans to appeal the decision.
In a press conference following the NCC decision he claimed Mr Corbyn’s team were in touch with him on the first day of the hearing to offer him support.
New: Marc Wadsworth says his expulsion from Labour is based on process that is “not fit for purpose” and says he is talking to lawyers about appealing decision.
— Benjamin Kentish (@BenKentish) April 27, 2018
However sources close to the Labour Party leader said "no member of staff called to offer Marc Wadsworth support."
