Watson in warning on plot to control Labour

LABOUR deputy leader Tom Watson has warned that hard left supporters of Jeremy Corbyn are plotting to take control of the party amid claims of a secret deal with Unite union boss Len McCluskey.

Mr Watson said it was clear the threat was real after a recording emerged of the founder of Momentum – the grassroots activists group which helped propel Mr Corbyn to the leadership – discussing the prospects of gaining Unite’s backing.

Jon Lansman was said to have told supporters he expected the union, together with the Communications Workers Union (CWU), to affiliate to Momentum if Mr McCluskey wins his battle for re-election as Unite general secretary.

The Observer, which obtained a tape of his remarks, said they were secretly recorded at a meeting of a newly-formed Momentum branch in Richmond, south west London, earlier this month.

Mr Lansman told activists it was “absolutely crucial” that they secured a change to the party’s rules to ensure that whenever Mr Corbyn stood down, they were able to get a candidate on to the ballot paper to succeed him.

Mr Watson said Mr Lansman’s comments made clear the threat of “entryism” into the Labour ranks by hard left activists was genuine.

He said it was “a matter of great concern” the Unite leadership was allegedly making “a private agreement to fund a political faction that is apparently planning to take control of the Labour party”.

A spokesman for Unite spokesman told The Observer the general secretary could not make such a decision alone.