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Hampstead and Kilburn CLP chair and vice-chair suspended by Labour
Pete Firmin and Bridget Dunne had attempted to defy leadership over pro-Corbyn motion
November 30, 2020 11:43
Pete Firmin and Bridget Dunne had attempted to defy leadership over pro-Corbyn motion
November 30, 2020 11:43The chair and vice-chair of Hampstead and Kilburn Labour Party have both been suspended after they defied a warning not to allow a motion in support of Jeremy Corbyn to be heard at a general committee meeting last week.
The JC understands that chair Pete Firmin, who is also secretary of the hardline Labour Representation Committee group, and Bridget Dunne, vice-chair membership of the north London CLP, have been informed that they are administratively suspended from Sir Keir Starmer’s party pending investigation.
It follows the official guidance sent to all local Labour Party branches on conducting discussions relating to the EHRC report into antisemitism, and Mr Corbyn’s suspension from the party and removal of the whip.
During last week’s meeting, an official from Labour’s London regional office had warned Mr Firmin that a motion calling for Mr Corbyn to be reinstated as a Labour MP was not competent business.
But a motion, submitted by Unite Community Camden, was still moved by Ms Dunne, in clear defiance of the official advice.
Amongst its 2000 strong membership Hampstead and Kilburn CLP has a sizeable Jewish presence. Senior figures within the Jewish Labour Movement live within the constituency.
The JC has previously revealed how Mr Firmin had openly campaigned for Mr Corbyn since he was suspended from the party over his response to the EHRC report.
His photo was circulated by a pro-Corbyn social media site as part of a demonstration in support of the former leader earlier this month.
Last week, he again appeared in a photograph published by the Guardian newspaper on a pro-Corbyn demo.
Mr Firmin, who is a supporter of the Jewish Voice For Labour group, once wrote in support of former London Mayor Ken Livingstone, saying he was "being disciplined not for antisemitism, but for causing offence to defenders of Israel". He has also been outspoken in his support of Jackie Walker and Tony Greenstein, both of whom have been expelled from Labour.
Last year his name appeared on a letter circulated at a local party executive meeting that was branded "highly offensive" and which attacked the Jewish Labour Movement.
Meanwhile Ms Dunne circulated a message in support of a group holding up signs saying “Jewish Not Zionist” on her Twitter page.
Last week the JC contacted local MP Tulip Siddiq for comment over the events that took place at last Thursday's meeting, but she did not respond to our request.
She later tweeted: “I am angry and saddened that clear instructions from Labour HQ were deliberately ignored at a meeting of my local CLP in order to debate a motion that would obviously cause considerable hurt to the Jewish community.
“I wasn’t present at the section of the meeting when the motion was debated, and I have been working with local members and party officials since to establish what took place and ensure that appropriate action is taken in response to any rule-breaking.”
She said it would not be right for her to comment on an ongoing disciplinary case, but added: “It is incumbent on all party officials, representatives and members to take the EHRC report seriously and do everything they can to make Jewish people feel welcome in our party.”
Ms Dunne said: “Labour Party rules prohibit discussion of ongoing disciplinary matters.”
A Labour spokesperson told the JC on Sunday: “Labour takes all complaints seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate action is taken.”
