Willie Jackson is welcomed to the Labour Party by leader Andrew Little.

An open letter urging Labour to reconsider Willie Jackson's entry into the party bears the names of three former MPs.

Former party president Maryan Street, Carol Beaumont, and Marian Hobbs are understood to have their names on the digital open letter, according to screenshots provided to Stuff.

The Young Labour-penned letter has now been signed by over 400 Labour Party members, as turmoil within the party has risen in response the selection of Maori broadcaster Willie Jackson as a prospective new Labour MP.

The letter in question.

Labour leader Andrew Little has promised Jackson a high-ranking list position for this year's election, near-guaranteeing him a seat for him in Parliament.

READ MORE:

*Little changes tack, saying Davis and senior MPs should rank ahead of Jackson

*Willie Jackson embroiled in 'Roast Busters' controversy just hours after joining Labour Party

*Labour leader aware of 'risk' promoting Jackson to high list place

The letter claims Jackson has advocated "offensive positions in sharp contract to Labour's values," including his comments around the Roast Busters incident, his views on charter schools, and his comments concerning LGBTI issues.

JASON DORDAY/FAIRFAX NZ Jackson and Little speak to media on Waitangi Day.

Jackson ran into controversy in 2013 during an interview with "Amy," an 18-year-old who alleged the Roast Busters group had victimised her. He described the online bragging about sex with drunk minors as "mischief" and asked whether the boys could be considered rapists if some of the girls they had slept with had consented. He apologised at the time, and again on Monday.

"I gave an apology at the time, on Radio Live, over three years ago, gave an apology on Maori TV, gave an apology again a couple of days ago on RNZ ... and happy to say sorry again for any hurt."

Jackson has also publicly endorsed charter schools, something Labour have vowed to abolish, and has said he is "a little uncomfortable with gay men."

Labour MP Poto Williams has also spoken out against Jackson's selection.

Hobbs and Beaumont did not respond to requests for comment, while Street declined to comment.

The former MP's correct emails and electorate seat were included in each signing.

Former campaign manager for Andrew Little's leadership bid Nick Kelly has also signed the letter.

'NOT JUST YOUNG LABOUR'

The longtime Party member who provided the screenshots on condition of anonymity said he wanted to make clear that it wasn't just Young Labour protesting Jackson's selection.

"Young people in the party shouldn't be singled out for condemnation by the leadership."

He said he was "shocked" by Jackon's selection.

"Here was a party that spent last week standing up to Trump and for progressive values, and this week we're proposing to slot a right-wing, shock-jock into Parliament? We just want a party that puts forward Labour values every week of the year.



"We want an inclusive big-tent party, but where do you draw the line? This guy supports charter schools - he's no lefty.

"I just hope Andrew [Little] is right about Willie - because he's made a mighty big captain's call on this one. He can't say people didn't warn him."

A spokesman for Little's office declined to comment, pointing Stuff to comments Little made earlier on Wednesday.

Little told RNZ Jackson's Roast Busters comments were wrong and that he had apologised for them.

​"There is no open revolt," Little said.

Labour needed to broaden their face and reach to win the election.

"Everybody has to understand that doing more of the same, more faces like we've got at the moment, isn't going to help. You've got to broaden our reach and broaden our coverage, and that's what we're doing."