Labour picks David Evans as Secretary General

THE LABOUR Party has named David Evans as its new senior officer with its leader saying he will help “restore trust with the British people”, reports said last night,

The National Executive Committee met to chose its new Secretary General after the resignation of Jennie Formby earlier this month.

Six candidates were shortlisted for the post, but Mr Evans was thought to be favoured by the leadership.

Some unions were thought to have wanted someone from the left of the party.

Mr Evans – who worked for Labour under Tony Blair – reportedly said it was “an honour and a privilege” to be appointed, adding: “We face a defining period in the history of our great party, with a global pandemic, an imminent recession and a mountain to climb to win the next election.

“Through the strength of our movement, I know we can rise to this challenge.”

One of his first challenges will be responding to the findings of an inquiry by the equalities watchdog into Labour’s handling of anti-Semitism cases within the party.

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission’s report is due to be published soon, with the party’s leader, Sir Keir Starmer, having already committed to accepting its recommendations and setting up an independent complaints process.

Ms Formby – who was a close ally of former leader Jeremy Corbyn – left the role after two years by “mutual consent” following Sir Keir’s election as leader in April.

Allies of the new leader have a slim majority on the NEC after elections last month.

Mr Evans was regarded as the frontrunner in the contest, with his backers including Morgan McSweeney – Sir Keir’s chief of staff.