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Labour suspends Ken Livingstone indefinitely over anti-Semitism claims Labour suspends Ken Livingstone indefinitely over anti-Semitism claims
(about 1 hour later)
Ken Livingstone's suspension from Labour over anti-Semitism claims has been extended indefinitely pending the outcome of an internal investigation.Ken Livingstone's suspension from Labour over anti-Semitism claims has been extended indefinitely pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
The former London mayor's suspension had been due to expire on 27 April.The former London mayor's suspension had been due to expire on 27 April.
But in his last official act as Labour general secretary, Iain McNicol signed off on an indefinite extension, the Huffington Post UK has revealed. But Labour's outgoing general secretary, Iain McNicol, has signed off on an indefinite extension.
Mr McNicol employed a rarely-used procedure to impose an "administrative suspension" on Mr Livingstone. Mr Livingstone is facing an internal investigation into his conduct after refusing to apologise for statements he made about Adolf Hitler and Zionism.
Mr McNicol announced he was standing down as Labour's general secretary on Friday after a "tumultuous seven years".
Labour sources denied claims by the Huffington Post, which broke the story, the decision to extend Mr Livingstone's suspension was Mr McNicol's last official act.
Disciplinary panel
They said the decision had been taken by National Executive Committee members and although the letter informing Mr Livingstone of the decision had been sent in Mr McNicol's name it had not been the result of a unilateral decision taken by the outgoing general secretary.
Mr Livingstone was suspended for a year in April 2016 over his claim that Adolf Hitler had supported Zionism in the 1930s.
He was suspended for a further 12 months in April last year after a Labour disciplinary panel upheld three charges of breaching party rules, prompting Jeremy Corbyn to order a fresh internal inquiry into his conduct.
This has reportedly yet to get under way, with the deadline approaching for Mr Livingstone to be re-admitted to the party.
Labour sources say the investigation will go before the party's disputes panel, which may refer Mr Livingstone to the NEC for possible disciplinary action or decide no further action is necessary.
A Labour spokeswoman confirmed: "Ken Livingstone has been administratively suspended from the Labour Party, pending the outcome of an internal party investigation.A Labour spokeswoman confirmed: "Ken Livingstone has been administratively suspended from the Labour Party, pending the outcome of an internal party investigation.
"That suspension starts on the date that his membership suspension applied by the National Constitutional Committee ends on 27 April 2018.""That suspension starts on the date that his membership suspension applied by the National Constitutional Committee ends on 27 April 2018."
Mr Livingstone was suspended in April 2016 over his claim that Adolf Hitler had supported Zionism in the 1930s. 'Long overdue'
He was suspended for a further year in April last year after a Labour disciplinary panel upheld three charges of breaching party rules. Some Labour MPs and Jewish groups have criticised the decision not to expel Mr Livingstone, but the former Labour MP said he had been "suspended for stating the truth".
Some Labour MPs and Jewish groups criticised the decision not to expel Mr Livingstone, but the former Labour MP said he had been "suspended for stating the truth". Labour MP Wes Streeting, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews, told the Huffington Post the decision to extend Mr Livingstone's suspension was "long overdue".
"Almost a year has passed since Jeremy Corbyn announced that Mr Livingstone's conduct would be subject to further investigation with seemingly little action by the NEC."
He said Mr Livingstone should be expelled for his "gratuitously offensive remarks" and "his lack of remorse" - and urged the NEC to take tougher action against "anti-Semites and their apologists infesting the Labour Party".
The battle to replace Mr McNicol as general secretary has, meanwhile, taken an unexpected twist, with the founder of Momentum - the grassroots movement supporting Jeremy Corbyn - throwing his hat into the ring.
In a statement on Twitter, Jon Lansman said he was applying to "open up the contest" and ensure there was a wide range of candidates.
Mr Lansman, a key ally of the Labour leader, said if elected he would "stay tuned to the desires" of the party's members and trade union affiliates, "work hard to strengthen Labour's trade union link" and make sure the party "really delivered for the many not the few".
An official with the Unite union, Jennie Formby, has already announced that she is standing and is reported to be favoured by Mr Corbyn.