A Labour MP has accused his own party of behaving like a "chumocracy" for failing to suspend a close ally of Tom Watson after he sent lewd messages about a fellow councillor.

Adrian Bailey spoke out after a councillor allegedly sent messages to a blogger in which he made lewd sexual remarks about female colleagues.

The party opened an investigation after the messages were published online and Mr Bailey raised the issue with Mr Watson, Labour's deputy leader, whose constituency also covers part of the council's area.