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Labour's deputy Watson condemns bid to oust him | Labour's deputy Watson condemns bid to oust him |
(32 minutes later) | |
Labour's Tom Watson has said the bid to oust him as deputy leader by abolishing his post is a "sectarian attack" on the party's "broad church". | Labour's Tom Watson has said the bid to oust him as deputy leader by abolishing his post is a "sectarian attack" on the party's "broad church". |
He told the BBC he found out late on Friday in a text message that a motion had been tabled by Jon Lansman, founder of Labour grassroots group Momentum. | He told the BBC he found out late on Friday in a text message that a motion had been tabled by Jon Lansman, founder of Labour grassroots group Momentum. |
Members had voted him in and should be able to vote him out, he said. | Members had voted him in and should be able to vote him out, he said. |
Mr Watson has been at odds with leader Jeremy Corbyn over the party's stance on Brexit but said he had to speak out. | Mr Watson has been at odds with leader Jeremy Corbyn over the party's stance on Brexit but said he had to speak out. |
An initial move to oust him was made at a meeting of the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) on Friday but it failed to get the two-thirds majority needed. | An initial move to oust him was made at a meeting of the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) on Friday but it failed to get the two-thirds majority needed. |
A further attempt is set to be made on Saturday at the party's conference in Brighton. | A further attempt is set to be made on Saturday at the party's conference in Brighton. |
Speaking to Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Watson said he found out about the move while having a meal at a Chinese restaurant in Manchester on Friday night. | Speaking to Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Watson said he found out about the move while having a meal at a Chinese restaurant in Manchester on Friday night. |
He said: "It's a straight sectarian attack on a broad church party. | |
"It's moving us into a different kind of institution where pluralism isn't tolerated. Where factional observance has to be adhered to completely. | |
"And it completely goes against the sort of traditions that the Labour Party has had for 100 years." | |
He added that he felt that Mr Lansman "and his faction" were so angry about his position on Brexit they would "rather abolish me than have a debate about it". | |
Asked if he thought the move had been made by Mr Corbyn himself, Mr Watson said "I don't know", but added his leader had the power to stop it. | Asked if he thought the move had been made by Mr Corbyn himself, Mr Watson said "I don't know", but added his leader had the power to stop it. |
He defended his role, saying he had been elected by party members and - rather than abolishing the post - they could trigger an election themselves if they wanted to remove him. | |
Mr Watson has urged Labour to "unequivocally back remain" and had said he wants another public vote on the UK's membership of the EU before any general election. | Mr Watson has urged Labour to "unequivocally back remain" and had said he wants another public vote on the UK's membership of the EU before any general election. |
But Mr Corbyn wants to hold another referendum once Labour has won power, in which voters would have the choice to remain in the EU alongside a "credible" Leave proposal. | But Mr Corbyn wants to hold another referendum once Labour has won power, in which voters would have the choice to remain in the EU alongside a "credible" Leave proposal. |
A Momentum source told the BBC: "We just can't afford to go into an election with a deputy leader set on wrecking Labour's chances. | A Momentum source told the BBC: "We just can't afford to go into an election with a deputy leader set on wrecking Labour's chances. |
"Labour members overwhelmingly want a deputy leadership election, but our outdated rulebook won't let it happen." | "Labour members overwhelmingly want a deputy leadership election, but our outdated rulebook won't let it happen." |
Dawn Butler, shadow women and equalities secretary, said Momentum's move had "come out of the blue" but she could understand the frustration with the deputy leader. | Dawn Butler, shadow women and equalities secretary, said Momentum's move had "come out of the blue" but she could understand the frustration with the deputy leader. |
Asked if Mr Watson was doing the job well, she said: "I have my frustrations with Tom too. I haven't seen him at a shadow cabinet meeting for a while." | Asked if Mr Watson was doing the job well, she said: "I have my frustrations with Tom too. I haven't seen him at a shadow cabinet meeting for a while." |
The NEC, Labour's governing body, is set to vote again on abolishing Mr Watson's post at the party's annual conference at 10:00 BST on Saturday. | The NEC, Labour's governing body, is set to vote again on abolishing Mr Watson's post at the party's annual conference at 10:00 BST on Saturday. |
There will then be a vote on the conference floor in the afternoon, where the bid could be approved, ousting Mr Watson. | There will then be a vote on the conference floor in the afternoon, where the bid could be approved, ousting Mr Watson. |
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg says Momentum's move "was not discussed" among its governing body - adding there was "anger" at Mr Lansman as this was "not an official decision". | BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg says Momentum's move "was not discussed" among its governing body - adding there was "anger" at Mr Lansman as this was "not an official decision". |
Some Labour MPs have reacted angrily to the move. Former party leader Ed Miliband said whoever came up with the idea had "taken leave of their senses". | |
Labour MP Wes Streeting called it "outrageous" and "self-destructive", while his colleague Jess Phillips said it was part of a desperate attempt to control and expel anyone in the party who has an independent thought. |