National Constitutional Committee

The National Constitutional Committee (NCC) is an senior organ of the UK Labour Party concerned with discipline. It is covered by Clause IX: of the Labour Party Rule Book, the governing document for the Labour Party in the United Kingdom. Representatives on the Committee have included Professor Cecile Wright, Vice-Chair of Momentum. [1] Appointment is a democratic process.[2]

Discipline

Allegations of antisemitism

In 2018, an activist from the pro-Corbyn Momentum Black ConneXions, Marc Wadsworth was expelled from the Labour Party for bringing the party into disrepute.[3] This decision related to a confrontation on 30 June 2016 between him and Jewish Labour MP, Ruth Smeeth at the launch of the Chakrabarti Inquiry report into allegations of antisemitism and other forms of racism in the Labour Party.

At the first day's hearing by the NCC into Wadsworth's future in the Labour Party on 25 April 2018, Smeeth was escorted by Labour colleagues[4] while a group protested with pro-Wadsworth placards.[5][6][7] Two Labour MPs were witnesses for Wadsworth. Chris Williamson made clear his views on the handling of antisemitism allegations.[8] Clive Lewis alleged afterwards that there was racism against Wadsworth.[9] On 27 April 2018, the National Constitutional Committee found proven two charges including prejudicial and detrimental conduct, a breach of the Membership procedures of the Labour Party Rule Book. The NCC determined that the sanction would be expulsion from membership.[10] Wadsworth's expulsion was welcomed by the Jewish Labour Movement [11] while Jewish Voice for Labour welcomed Wadsworth and passed a resolution that he should be reinstated.[12]

Williamson later faced formal investigation and suspension.

Shami Chakrabarti's findings and recommendations included the procedural rule changes to improve the party's disciplinary process and the adoption and publication of a complaints procedure.[2]

References
  1. "Professor Cecile Yvonne Wright". University of Nottingham. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
  2. "The Shami Chakrabarti Report" (PDF). Labour.org.uk.
  3. "Labour activist Marc Wadsworth expelled over anti-Semitism row". Sky News. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  4. Cowburn, Ashley (2018-04-25). "Dozens of Labour MPs march with Jewish colleague to antisemitism hearing". The Independent. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  5. "Ruth Smeeth escorted by Labour colleagues to anti-Semitism hearing". BBC News. 25 April 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  6. Forrester, Kate (25 April 2018). "Labour MPs Rally Around Colleague Ruth Smeeth Ahead Of Marc Wadsworth Anti-Semitism Hearing". HuffPost. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  7. "Marc Wadsworth expelled from Labour party". www.voice-online.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
  8. "Statement by Chris Williamson MP on Marc Wadsworth's expulsion from the Labour Party". Labour Briefing. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  9. simonhannah81 (2018-05-20). "Clive Lewis on Marc Wadsworth's expulsion". theclarionmag.org. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  10. Elgot, Jessica (27 April 2018). "Labour activist Marc Wadsworth expelled from party over antisemitism row". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  11. Elgot, Jessica (28 April 2018). "Corbyn's office denies it advised Labour activist day before expulsion". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  12. Kuper, Richard (7 May 2018). "A call to reinstate Marc Wadsworth". Jewish Voice for Labour. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
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