Labour figures unite in condemnation of deputy leader Tom Watson’s conduct toward party’s general secretary – but some go further and call for resignation

One call for Watson’s resignation

Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson has provoked a flood of appalled outrage from Labour MPs, officials and supporters by his persistent attacks on the partys general secretary, Jennie Formby – who is working hard for the party in spite of a battle against cancer.

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and other front-benchers have condemned Watson’s behaviour, including public demands he knows are impossible, as bullying and worse:

I just don’t understand why the deputy leader of the Labour Party uses the media to demand information from Labour’s General Secretary @JennieGenSec, which has already been offered to him. It goes beyond my understanding that he does so when he knows she’s undergoing chemotherapy — John McDonnell MP (@johnmcdonnellMP) July 11, 2019

.@tom_watson knows perfectly well that he cannot make “demands” of Jennie Formby. She is only answerable to @UKLabour NEC. And very wrong to imply that she is dealing with this matter with anything less than her usual professionalism @JennieGenSec https://t.co/pCwOF1su2C — Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) July 11, 2019

.@JennieGenSec is committed to eradicating the scourge of antisemitism from our movement and society, taking on the task while battling cancer and undergoing chemotherapy.



She should be supported, not bullied and maligned. pic.twitter.com/I69g8OGGIe — Dan Carden MP (@DanCardenMP) July 11, 2019

It’s disgraceful for Tom Watson to publicly attack @JennieGenSec while she is undergoing chemotherapy – a horrible and draining cancer treatment, which she took time out of to talk to Shadow Cabinet, and she has offered to meet with him. There is no need for this attack. https://t.co/U6ErOMaK03 — Danielle Rowley (@DaniRowley) July 11, 2019

Solidarity with @JennieGenSec. On the day a report on parliamentary bullying is published, Watson has been relentless. Shame on him. https://t.co/6gyo0INAJM — Emma Dent Coad (@emmadentcoad) July 11, 2019

A General Secretary cannot be beyond reproach but relentlessly attacking a woman who is currently receiving gruelling cancer treatment without acknowledging the full facts is cruel. Take care to my friend @JennieGenSec pic.twitter.com/s4eL0MViIv — Laura Smith (@LauraSmithCrewe) July 11, 2019

Formby herself responded to Watson in a withering letter.

But two elected members of Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) have now gone further than condemnation – calling on Watson to resign. First, Claudia Webbe:

Welsh grassroots representative Darren Williams then backed her call:

The NEC is the party’s ruling body and both Webbe and Williams were elected to it by Labour’s grassroots. Their call carries considerable weight in view of Watson’s refusal so far to go back to members to refresh his mandate after widespread dissatisfaction with his performance.

Watson has also been accused by party insiders of breaching the Equality Act in his treatment of Formby. Cancer sufferers automatically qualify as disabled under the Act.

Tom Watson has not responded to requests for comment on the Formby situation.

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