Watson hits back at critics

LABOUR deputy leader Tom Watson has branded his critics “extinction enablers”.

He suggested they were an “existential threat” because they oppose attempts to deal with “the threat that is currently being faced by the Labour Party”.

Mr Watson, the MP for West Bromwich East in the Black Country, has led calls for Labour to support a second referendum on Brexit.

And he also signed a letter protesting against the party’s decision to re-admit MP Chris Williamson, who had been suspended after suggesting the party was “too apologetic” about anti-semitism.

More than 120 Labour MPs and peers signed the letter. Mr Williamson later had his suspension re-imposed.

Critics attacked Mr Watson on Twitter, using the hashtag #TomWatsonOut. Some claim that his actions are part of a plot to undermine Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

In his weekly email newsletter, Mr Watson paid tribute to campaigners Extinction Rebellion, who are campaigning to save the planet.

And he added: “Talking of existential threats to things I love, you may have seen the letter I signed and organised calling for the reversal of Chris Williamson’s reinstatement.

“It certainly animated the far left and spawned the #TomWatsonOut hashtag. These extinction enablers are either so blind they cannot see (or perhaps simply don’t care about) the threat that is currently being faced by the Labour Party.

“I can only presume that they didn’t knock on any Labour doors during the EU election, and must have missed the tidal wave of disillusion that now surrounds our policy on Brexit, or the revulsion that Labour supporters have at our approach to ridding the party of anti-semitism.

“I’ve heard it time after time from voters now, and I have seen the polling analytics, and the prospects are simply terrifying.”

He added: “I make no apology, nor ever will, for signing a letter which has received huge support from fellow MPs, councillors and peers.

“I trust Jennie Formby, our general secretary, will ensure the disciplinary charge against Chris is handled in a transparent and appropriate manner.”