A Jewish Labour supporter who re-joined the party to vote in the leadership election, has had her membership rescinded after a complaint she had ‘’indicated support for Boris Johnson in 2019.’’
Laura Marcus, a journalist and communications professional, confirmed to the JC she had re-joined Labour in December to cast her vote for Sir Keir Starmer to replace Jeremy Corbyn as leader next month.
She received a welcome pack through the post from the party, had a direct debit taken out of her bank account and cast her vote for Sir Keir.
But Ms Marcus was left stunned this week to be told she had been "auto-excluded" from Labour – without any grounds of appeal.
The party said in its letter: "Information brought to our attention is that you have posted abusive material and have indicated support for Boris Johnson in 2019.’’
Ms Marcus – who once wrote for the JC on how George Galloway’s threat to sue her had only made her more of a Zionist – said there was no evidence she supported the Prime Minister because ‘’I loathe the man.’’
She said she suspected she was targeted by Corbyn supporters who had used social media posts critical of the outgoing Labour leader to submit a complaint to party bosses.
It is now unclear whether Ms Marcus’ vote for Sir Keir will be counted in the vote to choose the new Labour leader, the results of which will be announced on April 4.
Former Guardian columnist Ms Marcus had been an outspoken critic of Mr Corbyn’s failure to tackle antisemitism over the past few years and last resigned from the party in 2016 over the persistent failure to deal with activist Jackie Walker, who was eventually expelled last year.
She told the JC on Wednesday: "I think the complaint has been made maliciously.
‘‘I have never supported Boris Johnson, they have produced no evidence indicating that I ever have because there isn’t any, because I loathe the man.
"I think it is wrong and unjust to reject someone merely on someone else’s say so, with no investigation, or no opportunity to defend myself.
"It makes you wonder what sort of government Labour would have been had they been in power."
Ms Marcus first joined Labour back in 1992 but left three years later over the direction Tony Blair took the party, only to re-join again in 2010, after the party lost the General Election that year.
Labour rules stipulate no one can apply to re-join the party within two years of being "auto-excluded".
Ms Marcus has lodged a complaint and made a request under Data Protection laws to make Labour show her the evidence they have on her.
The JC has contacted Labour for comment.
