Derek Hatton, ghost of party’s militant past, is allowed back in

DEREK HATTON, a former leading figure in Militant, has been readmitted to the Labour Party, it emerged last night.

Three decades after he was ousted under Neil Kinnock’s leadership, Mr Hatton, one of the most divisive political figures in Labour’s history, is believed to have been readmitted after his case was heard by a three-person panel.

It comes five months after party officials said his past affiliations would not “preclude him from being a member”, after he had confirmed he had requested permission to rejoin.

Last night a Labour source did not deny that he had been accepted back into the party. In 1986, as deputy leader of Liverpool council, he was among 47 councillors to be removed and banned from public office over their decision to run an illegal budget in defiance of Margaret Thatcher’s government.

He and members of the Trotskyist Militant group were widely blamed for making Labour unelectable, leading Neil Kinnock to wage a prolonged battle to drive them out of the party.

The announcement came as Jeremy Corbyn’s allies yesterday labelled the seven breakaway Labour MPS “traitors” and “cowards” and John Mcdonnell urged them to trigger by-elections.

When the MPS announced their decision to quit the party, members of the shadow cabinet accused them of launching a “direct attack on Labour”.

Mr Mcdonnell, the shadow chancellor, challenged them to do the “honourable thing” and resign their seats in order to fight by-elections as independent candidates.

But the departure of the MPS left many colleagues in a state of despair as morale in the party sank to its lowest point under Mr Corbyn’s leadership.

Jess Phillips summed up the feeling of many backbench MPS, saying she felt “so very sad”, while Lisa Nandy said it was “an awful day for the Labour Party and everyone who needs us”.

A number of shadow cabinet ministers attacked their former colleagues over their decision to sit as independent MPS, suggesting it would ultimately benefit the Tories.

Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, said: “Sit as independents, vote as independents, fight elections as independents and then independently help the Tories stay in power.”

Richard Burgon, the shadow justice secretary, echoed a similar sentiment as he called on the MPS to quit the Commons.

He said: “The Independent Group isn’t just an attack on Jeremy’s policies ‘for the many, not the few’. It’s a direct attack on the Labour Party.” He said the MPS may claim to “speak for the nation” but they “no longer have a mandate even to speak for their own constituents”.

He added: “People elected them to be Labour MPS on a Labour Manifesto. They should have the courage of their convictions and allow by-elections.”

Angela Rayner, the shadow education secretary, said Labour “must not be detracted [sic] from removing the Tories”. She said: “The seven MPS who have resigned from Labour are wrong to do so.”

Young Labour UK, the youth wing of the Labour Party, quoted the lyrics of the Red Flag: “Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer, we’ll keep the red flag flying here.”

Supporters of Mr Corbyn reacted with fury on social media, with one claiming that the departing MPS “work for Israel”. Others said “good riddance to trash” and called them “Blairite Tory parasites”.

Six of the seven MPS secured majorities of more than 10,000 votes at the 2017 general election and Labour will be keen to contest by-elections in which they would be optimistic of securing victory for candidates who are supportive of Mr Corbyn.

But many Labour MPS expressed deep regret and sadness at their decision to leave. Catherine Mckinnell said: “Seven of my respected, hard-working friends and former Labour colleagues leaving is painful and sad. Things have to change. We need urgent action to eradicate anti-semitism, genuine leadership on Brexit to give the public a final say and an end to bullying and intolerance in our politics.”