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Tom Watson launches bid for new Labour anti-Semitism rules

Tom Watson has launched a bid to bring in rule changes in the way the Labour Party handles anti-Semitism complaints.

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Tom Watson wants new rules brought in to deal with anti-Semitism complaints in Labour

The Labour deputy leader and West Bromwich East MP is among five members of the party's ruling NEC to back new measures that will see an independent disciplinary process brought in.

Members found to have expressed abuse including racism, homophobia and sexism will be automatically excluded under the plans, which will be debated and voted on at the NEC's meeting on July 23.

It follows a turbulent week for Labour, which saw open warfare break out amongst its ranks in the wake of a BBC expose into the party's handling of members accused of anti-Jewish racism.

The motion says: "The NEC believes the Labour Party is an anti-racist party committed to equality and building a better, fairer future for all.

"We are fully committed to the support, defence and celebration of the Jewish community and implacably opposed to anti-Jewish racism and racism in any form.

"Members who express racist, sexist, homophobic or transphobic views have no place in the Labour Party.

"We need radical change and fresh thinking in our disciplinary rules to swiftly and fairly root out the evils of racism in our party and restore confidence in our processes."

It goes on to propose to "automatically exclude" members where there is "irrefutable evidence of racism, sexism, misogyny, homophobia or transphobia".

It also calls for the establishment of an independent process to deal with disciplinary matters and any subsequent member appeals.

"We will invite the Bar Council, or another appropriate body, to appoint a person wholly independent from the Labour Party to devise the detail of this scheme, consult with Jewish and other communities and report back to the NEC," it adds.

The motion has been backed by George Howarth MP and three councillors.

Labour's long running anti-Semitism row escalated after the Labour leadership reacted to the Panorama documentary, which featured former staff members claiming senior party figures had interfered in the complaints process.

Labour accused the former staff interviewed of being "politically motivated" and said they had "axes to grind", and lodged a formal complaint with the BBC over biased journalism.

The fallout became increasingly bitter, with Unite leader Len McCluskey unleashing an expletive-laden onslaught on Mr Watson over his criticism of Labour general secretary Jennie Formby, who is battling cancer.

Parliamentary Labour Party chairman John Cryer has condemned Jeremy Corbyn over the issue, describing the attacks on staff as a "gross misjudgement".

A special shadow cabinet meeting on anti-Semitism is due to be held next Monday.