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Momentum director expected to get control of key Labour disciplinary committee, says party insiders | Momentum director expected to get control of key Labour disciplinary committee, says party insiders |
(35 minutes later) | |
A director of Jeremy Corbyn-backing campaign group Momentum is being lined up to replace the long-standing chair of a key quasi-judicial Labour disciplinary panel, The Independent understands, giving allies of the Labour leader much greater control of internal party investigations. | A director of Jeremy Corbyn-backing campaign group Momentum is being lined up to replace the long-standing chair of a key quasi-judicial Labour disciplinary panel, The Independent understands, giving allies of the Labour leader much greater control of internal party investigations. |
Party sources said Christine Shawcroft has emerged as the preferred candidate of the Momentum-backed bloc on the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and is the favourite to be elected to lead the Disputes Panel, which plays a key role in disciplinary issues, including those relating to antisemitism and sexual harassment. | Party sources said Christine Shawcroft has emerged as the preferred candidate of the Momentum-backed bloc on the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and is the favourite to be elected to lead the Disputes Panel, which plays a key role in disciplinary issues, including those relating to antisemitism and sexual harassment. |
Elections will be held at a meeting this afternoon and insiders say the incumbent, Ann Black, is likely to be removed. | Elections will be held at a meeting this afternoon and insiders say the incumbent, Ann Black, is likely to be removed. |
Ms Shawcroft is a staunch ally of Mr Corbyn, and according to Companies House records, a registered director fo the Momentum group. | |
Hours before the meeting, screenshots obtained by The Independent show key figures on the Labour left discussing the “imperative” need to remove Ms Black from her position. | Hours before the meeting, screenshots obtained by The Independent show key figures on the Labour left discussing the “imperative” need to remove Ms Black from her position. |
In a closed Facebook group called “Labour Against the Witchhunt”, prominent left-wingers Tony Greenstein and Jacqueline Walker argue about whether they should publicly name Ms Black as a target. Both have previously been suspended by the Labour Party over alleged antisemitism. | In a closed Facebook group called “Labour Against the Witchhunt”, prominent left-wingers Tony Greenstein and Jacqueline Walker argue about whether they should publicly name Ms Black as a target. Both have previously been suspended by the Labour Party over alleged antisemitism. |
Mr Greenstein wrote: “She has to go and we have to call for her to go. | Mr Greenstein wrote: “She has to go and we have to call for her to go. |
“It’s absolutely imperative that Ann Black is targeted by name regardless of what they say. | “It’s absolutely imperative that Ann Black is targeted by name regardless of what they say. |
“It’s exactly the same with [Labour’s General Secretary] Iain McNicol. We have to disillusion people in her.” | “It’s exactly the same with [Labour’s General Secretary] Iain McNicol. We have to disillusion people in her.” |
However, Ms Walker warned: “You name her it will become a diversion – we will be accused of victimising.” | However, Ms Walker warned: “You name her it will become a diversion – we will be accused of victimising.” |
Neither Mr Greenstein nor Ms Walker hold positions on the NEC, but their hostility towards Ms Black is understood to be shared by some Momentum-backed committee members. | Neither Mr Greenstein nor Ms Walker hold positions on the NEC, but their hostility towards Ms Black is understood to be shared by some Momentum-backed committee members. |
Although she comes from the left of the party, Ms Black has fallen out with the left-wing bloc by voting against them on several occasions. | Although she comes from the left of the party, Ms Black has fallen out with the left-wing bloc by voting against them on several occasions. |
The Disputes Panel has also been heavily criticised by supporters of Jeremy Corbyn over the handling of a number of investigations into alleged antisemitism, including one involving Ken Livingstone, the former Mayor of London. | The Disputes Panel has also been heavily criticised by supporters of Jeremy Corbyn over the handling of a number of investigations into alleged antisemitism, including one involving Ken Livingstone, the former Mayor of London. |
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