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Labour expels second Wavertree CLP official
EXCLUSIVE: Helen Dickson had been under investigation after criticising her local MP’s attempt to repair relations with the Jewish community
October 13, 2020 13:32
EXCLUSIVE: Helen Dickson had been under investigation after criticising her local MP’s attempt to repair relations with the Jewish community
October 13, 2020 13:32Labour have expelled a second senior member of the Liverpool Wavertree Party.
Helen Dickson, Wavertree’s women’s officer, had been suspended after criticising her local MP’s attempt to repair relations with the Jewish community.
Ms Dickson was one of four members of the local party’s executive to have signed an email sent to the Wavertree CLP Members Bulletin which accused the MP Paula Barker of an “inaccurate and factionally motivated position on antisemitism”.
But the JC received confirmation on Tuesday that Ms Dickson had been informed that following her suspension in May, an investigation into her conduct had concluded she could not remain a member of the Labour Party.
Liverpool Wavertree Labour Party had long been at the centre of the antisemitism crisis under Jeremy Corbyn – with former Jewish MP Luciana Berger quitting the party citing bullying and antisemitism from a small hardcore of local activists.
Ms Dickson, who had been the subject of earlier complaints alleging antisemitism, once signed a letter blaming the “Israel lobby” for antisemitism.
On Monday, the JC revealed how Kevin Bean, Wavertree CLP’s former secretary, has also been expelled from the party – over his involvement with the Communist Party of Great Britain.
Mr Bean had also signed the email condemning MP Ms Barker, along with two other Wavertree CLP officials.
The cases of the four individuals have been taken up by pro-Jeremy Corbyn groups such as Jewish Voice For Labour (JVL) as part of a so-called “Defend The Wavertree Four” campaign.
Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi, JVL’s media officer, claimed in May: “The Wavertree suspensions seem to be part of a much bigger picture – a campaign unfolding around the country to investigate, suspend and expel socialists and left-wing activists, often using antisemitism-related charges. “
But the expulsion of the two Wavertree officials was welcomed by Jewish Labour Movement national chair Mike Katz on Tuesday, who tweeted: “Starmer showing more leadership on challenging hate in the party in six months than we had in five years.”
Another senior figure in Liverpool Labour political circles told the JC: “Make no mistake – these expulsions are welcomed by the vast majority of Labour members in this city.
“The stain of antisemitism has tarnished all of us for too long. We want to show that it is still possible to be left-wing and hate antisemitism at the same time.
“We have got a very good female MP in Paula Barker right now – but what went on with Luciana was shameful.”
The JC had exclusively revealed how the Wavertree Four had been suspended in May as part of a crackdown on alleged antisemitism by Sir Keir Starmer and later by his General Secretary David Evans.
In their email to Wavertree members, the four executive members had written of their “disappointment and hurt” over Ms Barker’s position, accusing her of failing to mention Jewish critics of Israel in her article which they say “reflected the influence of a partial view that claims to speak for all Jewish people.”
Ms Barker had herself written an article for the local Jewish Telegraph newspaper saying she regretted the fact that her predecessor in Wavertree, the Jewish ex-MP Luciana Berger, had now left the party.
The MP stated: "Luciana leaving the Labour Party was a shock to many and I find it deeply regrettable that she felt she could no longer stay."
