Labour will not take any action against an MP over a clash with the party's chairman at the height of this summer's antisemitism row.

Ian Austin revealed that party officials have dropped an investigation into him over a confrontation with Labour Party chairman Ian Lavery.

The Dudley North MP was accused of "abusive conduct in parliament" following a meeting of Labour's ruling body in July.

It came amid sharp focus on Labour's initial refusal to adopt an international definition of antisemitism, and all its examples, in full.

Mr Austin was understood to have told Mr Lavery the decision was "disgraceful", adding: "Under this leadership the Labour Party has become a sewer."


However, he denied being personally abusive to Mr Lavery.

On Tuesday, Mr Austin revealed he has now received a letter from Labour general secretary Jennie Formby informing him the party is closing the case and no further action will be taken.

He said: "I make no apologies for being upset about antisemitism.

"I think every Labour Party member ought to be angry about racism and the failure to deal with it properly.

"But I did not scream abuse as was alleged, so I am pleased the Labour Party have dropped its threat to hold an investigation.

"Frankly, they should never have threatened this in the first place.

"The way this whole issue has been handled is unacceptable and the time it has taken is appalling."

Image: The Dudley North MP confronted Labour Party chairman Ian Lavery

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson told Mr Austin on Twitter: "I'm very sorry it took so long to conclude but this is the right decision."

A Labour Party spokesman said: "The Labour Party takes all allegations of abusive behaviour extremely seriously. These are fully investigated in line with party rules and procedures."

This summer, Labour faced an unprecedented protest outside parliament by Jewish groups over their initial failure to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition and examples of antisemitism in full.

The party has since adopted the IHRA definition and examples completely, but added a controversial "freedom of expression" clause on Israel and the rights of Palestinians into their code of conduct.

As well as Mr Austin, Labour officials had also threatened action against fellow MP Margaret Hodge after she called party leader Jeremy Corbyn an "antisemite" and a "racist" in a dramatic House of Commons clash, also in July.

However, an investigation against Dame Margaret was subsequently dropped amid pressure from senior Labour MPs.