Shadow chancellor says Labour leadership ‘won’t interfere in local democracy’ if Benn faces deselection battle in Leeds Central

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, has refused to intervene to ensure Hilary Benn remains a Labour MP amid reports that he is facing a possible deselection battle with activists in his local party.



Some of Jeremy Corbyn’s close allies remain angry with the former shadow foreign secretary since he argued against the Labour leader and in favour of airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria from the opposition frontbench.

Benn was then sacked from his role as shadow foreign secretary amid claims that he was encouraging colleagues to resign as part of an attempt to replace Corbyn as leader.

The Sunday Times claims that Corbyn supporters have taken over positions in Benn’s Leeds Central constituency party and he is facing the threat of deselection in the seat.

Asked whether he would discourage a challenge against Benn, McDonnell said the leadership would not interfere in local party affairs.



“Labour leadership doesn’t involve itself in local selections to the local party. That’s democracy,” the shadow chancellor told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Pienaar’s Politics.

Patrick Hall, a vice-chair of the consituency party in Leeds Central who has voiced his opposition to Benn, is a national executive member of the Labour Representation Committee – a radical grouping chaired by McDonnell.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest John McDonnell and Hilary Benn together at an event supporting the remain campaign in June. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters

In the interview, McDonnell pointedly said he hoped Benn would continue to to play a role in the party “at whatever level”.

“I think Hilary Benn’s got a fantastic role to play. He’s a friend of mine and I hope he continues to play a role in our party at whatever level. But we can’t interfere in local democracy in our party. We’re a democratic party,” he said.

Benn is now the chair of the new Brexit select committee in parliament, a high-profile role as Britain moves towards leaving the EU.



A source close to Benn said: “Hillary is incredibly polite and a positive person and has welcomed the new [Leeds Central] officers.



“The excitement in the media [over deselection] has been slightly distracting, but he is clear his number one job is to hold the government to account on Brexit. For many who want a good relationship with our Europe partners in the future, he is our last hope.”

