Hampstead and Kilburn Labour officials defy leadership by passing pro-Corbyn motion

The JC understands that regional representatives from the London Labour office issued a warning to those taking part in the meeting, held on Zoom, that the CLP could face action for ignoring official advice from general secretary David Evans over motions that discussed Mr Corbyn’s current situation.

During Thursday’s meeting it was made clear that non-delgates were not able to vote on the Corbyn motion.

One Hampstead and Kilburn member told the JC that the hard-left now have the majority of delgates at most general committee meetings. They said that what can make matters worse was that while any member of the local party can turn up to meetings and observe or speak, only delegates can vote.

The JC has approached local Labour MP Tulip Siddiq for comment.

A message sent to all CLPs by Mr Evans following repeated attempts by supporters of Mr Corbyn to raise the issue at party meetings noted that “it has become clear that motions around this issue (including expressions of solidarity, views around the ongoing process in relation to the Parliamentary whip, and/or the power of the General Secretary or the NEC to issue guidance in relation to discussion of this issue) are providing a flashpoint for the expression of views that undermine the Labour Party’s ability to provide a safe and welcoming space for all members, in particular our Jewish members.

“Therefore all motions which touch on these issues must be ruled out of order.”

Asked for their response to the decision by the CLP to go ahead with the vote on Thursday, Labour said CLPs and branches have been reminded that it is a long-standing position that motions on individual disciplinary matters are not competent business.

The previous General Secretary, Jennie Formby, had brought in this rule under Mr Corbyn.

Labour added that CLPs had received guidance on conducting discussions on the EHRC report into antisemitism within the party – including the point that the report’s recommendations result from a statutory investigation that the party has accepted in full.

Pete Firmin, joint secretary of the Labour Representation Committee - which has repeatedly dismissed allegations of antisemitism during Jeremy Corbyn's leadership - was made chair of Hampstead and CLP earlier this year.

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.

Mr Firmin has more recently been at the centre of demonstrations in support of Mr Corbyn.

He was photographed leading a demo outside Labour’s central London headquarters on November 4 calling for the ex-leader’s suspension from the party to be dropped.

The photo was circulated on social media by pro-Corbyn supporter groups.

The JC has learned that Liverpool Riverside Labour Party plans to discuss two motions in support of Mr Corbyn at a meeting of the CLP on Friday night.

It is understood that at least one complaint about the motions has been submitted to Labour’s general secretary by a leading figure in the local party.

Dame Louise Ellman quit as an MP in Liverpool Riverside over claims of antisemitism and bullying.

On Friday Labour said they would investigate any complaints relating to  Hampstead and Kilburn CLP and Liverpool Riverside  in full.