Jewish member walked out of Labour meeting
CITY MP SAYS ATMOSPHERE WAS ‘WHOLLY UNACCEPTABLE’
A JEWISH member of the Labour Party left a Nottingham meeting after feeling he “had no choice”.
Nottingham East Labour MP Nadia Whittome tweeted a statement about the Nottingham East CLP (constituency Labour Party) meeting which took place on Friday.
She said: “The atmosphere and tone of the meeting that proceeded was wholly unacceptable, leading to a Jewish member of the Labour party feeling they had no choice but to leave the meeting.”
Ms Whittome said she would ensure the member’s wellbeing was “prioritised by the party”.
It is understood a dispute broke out over a motion related to the reinstatement of the Labour whip to former leader Jeremy Corbyn.
It is also understood that the chair of the CLP has been suspended pending investigation.
The statement said: “I am disappointed that a motion that was clearly out of order made its way up the agenda of the Nottingham East CLP meeting this evening which I attended.
“I take the EHRC [Equality and Rights Commission] report into
Labour antisemitism very seriously, as should all our members given the pain caused to Jewish communities and that the report found the Labour Party to have broken the law.”
She stated her “objection to the motion”, which was “overruled by the chair of the meeting”.
She added: “I understand that disciplinary proceedings are currently under way against an officer of the CLP.
“In the spirit of the EHRC report, which requires an independent process, I will be making no further comment on the disciplinary aspect of tonight’s events other than to reiterate the importance and urgency of ensuring all members are comfortable and welcome at CLP and branch meetings and that the spirit and letter of the EHRC report is respected and fully implemented at every level of the Party.”
Hundreds of people responded to the tweet.
A Labour spokesperson said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate action is taken.”
The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously and they are fully investigated.
Labour spokesperson