John McDonnell has accused Labour of targeting Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters in a “purge” of those allowed to vote in the leadership election.
“Labour party members will not accept what appears to be a rigged purge of Jeremy Corbyn supporters”, the shadow chancellor wrote. “The conduct of this election must be fair and even-handed.”
McDonnell, who is Corbyn’s campaign manager, added: “I am writing to Labour’s general secretary Iain McNicol to demand that members and supporters who are suspended or lose their voting rights are given clear information about why action has been taken and a timely opportunity to challenge the decision. In particular, the specification of particular terms of abuse to exclude Labour party members from voting should not be applied retrospectively.”
The statement follows the suspension of Bakers’ Union boss Ronnie Draper from voting in the election, an action Draper attributed to unspecified previous social media posts. Labour’s national executive committee has not commented on the reasons for his suspension.
“While Ronnie, a supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, has been denied his say in Labour’s elecion, no action is being taken over the Labour peer, Lord Sainsbury, who has given more than £2m to support the Liberal Democrats,” McDonnell said. “And no action has been taken against Michael Foster, the Labour party member who abused Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters and staff as Nazi stormtroopers in the Daily Mail.”
McDonnell’s statement adds to an already febrile mood over the election, which sees Corbyn pitted against challenger Owen Smith. A week ago, a group of Labour grandees signed a letter condemning “intolerable” attacks on party staff – who are not allowed to respond to allegations made against them. The latest statement will be seen as a warning shot to general secretary Iain McNicol, who the leadership feel has consistently interpreted the party’s rules to Corbyn’s disadvantage.
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