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Labour Party: Jennie Formby to stand down as general secretary Labour Party: Jennie Formby to stand down as general secretary
(about 3 hours later)
Jennie Formby is to stand down as the Labour Party's most senior official.Jennie Formby is to stand down as the Labour Party's most senior official.
She said it was the "right time" to make way as general secretary, with the party under new leadership following Sir Keir Starmer's election last month.She said it was the "right time" to make way as general secretary, with the party under new leadership following Sir Keir Starmer's election last month.
The former Unite union officer said she had taken on the role in 2018 primarily to support then leader Jeremy Corbyn.The former Unite union officer said she had taken on the role in 2018 primarily to support then leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Mrs Formby, who was treated for breast cancer in 2019, said it had been a privilege to serve during what had been a "very challenging period". Ms Formby, who was treated for breast cancer in 2019, said it had been a privilege to serve during what had been a "very challenging period".
The 60-year-old is at the centre of a row over the leak of an internal review into the handling of allegations of anti-Semitism in Labour's ranks.The 60-year-old is at the centre of a row over the leak of an internal review into the handling of allegations of anti-Semitism in Labour's ranks.
Labour's National Executive Committee has appointed barrister Martin Forde QC to lead an investigation into the leaking of the report and its contents. In a statement, Ms Formby - who previously worked as political director for the Unite union and a regional branch secretary - thanked all those who had supported her.
The BBC's political correspondent Iain Watson said Mrs Formby's departure meant the party would have a new general secretary in place when this inquiry concludes this summer and also when an investigation by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission into Labour's culture and disciplinary processes is completed.
He suggested Sir Keir, whose allies now control Labour's ruling body, would be in a position to "get whoever he wants" in the job.
In a statement, Mrs Formby - who previously worked as political director for the Unite union and a regional branch secretary - thanked all those who had supported her.
"When I applied for the role of general secretary in 2018 it was because I wanted to support Jeremy Corbyn, who inspired so many people to get involved in politics with his message of hope, equality and peace," she said."When I applied for the role of general secretary in 2018 it was because I wanted to support Jeremy Corbyn, who inspired so many people to get involved in politics with his message of hope, equality and peace," she said.
"Now we have a new leadership team it is the right time to step down.""Now we have a new leadership team it is the right time to step down."
Sir Keir thanked Mrs Formby for the commitment and energy she had shown in helping steer Labour through a period of "political upheaval" while deputy leader Angela Rayner said she had "blazed a trail" for women in the Labour movement. It had been assumed Ms Formby would have stood down ahead of the party conference in September.
During Mrs Formby's time as general secretary, the party was dogged by anti-Semitism allegations and there were rows over Mr Corbyn's leadership. This would have been after the inquiry in to the leaked document reports in July.
And it would probably have been after the Equality and Human Rights Commission delivers the results of its investigation in to anti-Semitism in the party.
But Ms Formby has instead chosen to go sooner, on her own terms, without awaiting the verdict of these probes.
Analysis: Formby's departure will help Starmer
Sir Keir thanked Ms Formby for the commitment and energy she had shown in helping steer Labour through a period of "political upheaval" while deputy leader Angela Rayner said she had "blazed a trail" for women in the Labour movement.
During Ms Formby's time as general secretary, the party was dogged by anti-Semitism allegations and there were rows over Mr Corbyn's leadership.
Labour MP Margaret Hodge - who has been critical of Mr Corbyn and of the party's handling of anti-Semitism claims - tweeted that Ms Formby's resignation was "another opportunity to draw a line under the past four years".Labour MP Margaret Hodge - who has been critical of Mr Corbyn and of the party's handling of anti-Semitism claims - tweeted that Ms Formby's resignation was "another opportunity to draw a line under the past four years".
Shadow minister Andy McDonald told the BBC that Mrs Formby "had a really difficult stewardship" and it was also "no secret" that she had been "quite poorly, but she battled through that incredibly". Shadow minister Andy McDonald told the BBC that Ms Formby "had a really difficult stewardship" and it was also "no secret" that she had been "quite poorly, but she battled through that incredibly".
He said she did a "terrific job" and displayed "great professionalism".He said she did a "terrific job" and displayed "great professionalism".
The Labour grassroots and pro-Corbyn group Momentum said Mrs Formby "inherited a party bureaucracy that was often hostile to Jeremy's leadership", referencing the leaked report that claimed anti-Jeremy Corbyn sentiment among Labour staff hindered efforts to tackle anti-Semitism claims. The Labour grassroots and pro-Corbyn group Momentum said Ms Formby "inherited a party bureaucracy that was often hostile to Jeremy's leadership", referencing the leaked report that claimed anti-Jeremy Corbyn sentiment among Labour staff hindered efforts to tackle anti-Semitism claims.
"Struggling against this while undergoing chemotherapy must have taken a herculean effort," the group said."Struggling against this while undergoing chemotherapy must have taken a herculean effort," the group said.
Labour's ruling body, the NEC, will meet soon to discuss a timetable to choose her successor.Labour's ruling body, the NEC, will meet soon to discuss a timetable to choose her successor.