Labour MP Chris Williamson suspended over anti-Semitism remark posts 'change is coming' tweet

Chris Williamson MP
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Ella Wills28 February 2019
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A Labour MP suspended from the party over remarks on anti-Semitism today said "change is coming" in a message to his supporters on Twitter.

Chris Williamson was suspended from Labour on Wednesday after suggesting the party had "given too much ground" in its response to complaints of anti-Semitism.

The MP for Derby North had been issued with a "notice of investigation for a pattern of behaviour", but a decision was later taken by the party's general secretary Jennie Formby to suspend him.

He said at the time he would be working to clear his name.

On Thursday, Mr Williamson tweeted: "I want to thank grassroots Labour Party members and supporters from the bottom of my heart for the incredible solidarity you have shown me over the last 48 hours.

"My message is this: Keep your eyes on the prize and hold on because #ChangeIsComing."

Alongside the tweet, Mr Williamson shared a link to the song Keep Your Eyes on the Prize.

Mr Williamson faced a furious backlash over the remarks on anti-Semitism.

A group of 38 Labour MPs wrote to Jennie Formby on Tuesday demanding Chris Williamson be suspended, in a letter seen by The Times.

The letter, signed by MPs including Yvette Cooper, Owen Smith and Gareth Thomas, said that "there can be no half measures when dealing with any form of racism within our party".

Mr Williamson told the BBC on Wednesday: "I am going to clear my name within the party procedures.

"I think I've got a very strong case. There is no evidence against me in reality."

His apology was earlier rejected as "half-hearted" by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said it was "not good enough".

Labour had already branded Mr Williamson's actions "completely unacceptable" after he booked a room in Parliament for the screening of a film about an activist suspended over anti-Semitism complaints.

He was filmed making the remarks at an event hosted by the Corbynite supporters’ group Momentum.

Audience of activists in Sheffield applauded him as he played down the crisis caused by anti-Semitic attacks by Labour supporters on Jewish MPs and members.

He claimed the party was being “demonised as a racist party” and had “given too much ground” to its critics.

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