Labour NEC in secret plot to seize control if Corbyn quits

SPECULATION over Jeremy Corbyn’s future resurfaced yesterday after proposals were leaked revealing his allies were planning to strip Tom Watson of powers if the Labour leader resigned.

Plans, branded a “Bolshevik” plot, state any caretaker leader must seek approval of the party executive before making changes or policy decisions.

They give rise to rumours that Mr Corbyn’s supporters are making contingency plans for a leadership bid within a year. Sources close to Mr Corbyn last night dismissed the claims as “complete and utter rubbish”.

If adopted, they would hand the national executive committee powers to dictate the role of a caretaker leader. Labour moderates warned it would effectively make the NEC a “Politburo” and undermine the authority of Mr Watson, who would be acting leader if Mr Corbyn resigned. A Labour MP said it was “alarming” that party figures were seeking rule changes not contained in the recent official democracy review. Another said: “It’s an unenforceable act of paranoid Bolshevism.”

All nine permanent members of the NEC are staunch Corbyn supporters who were recently elected on a Momentum-backed slate known as the JC9. In recent months the relationship between Mr Corbyn and Mr Watson is said to have deteriorated amid rows over anti-semitism. Last week it emerged that Mr Watson would not give a keynote speech at conference.

John Mcdonnell recently denied rumours he was planning to replace Mr Corbyn, and Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, was said to be ready to resign from Labour’s front bench over a customs union row.