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Labour Party members have abandoned plans for a vote to censure Rosie Duffield MP for attending a rally against anti-Semitism in the Party.

It follows an angry backlash from Labour MPs and fellow activists.

A small number of local members had drafted a letter accusing the MP, who was elected last June, of involving herself with "groups and organisations that are campaigning to damage" the Labour Party.

She was heavily criticised in a letter sent out to members for attending a demonstration on March 26 this year when she joined other Labour MPs and Jewish leaders in a rally outside Parliament demanding the Party got a grip on the anti-Semitism crisis.

The authors say that Ms Duffield, who is Canterbury's first Labour MP, has involved herself with "groups and organisations that are campaigning to damage our Party".

(Image: PA)

Initially the Constituency Labour Party decided to allow the "motion for censure" to be debated.

But CLP secretary Naomi Smith announced on Monday night that the motion had been withdrawn and said it would not have won the support of the majority of local members.

“At the Canterbury Branch meeting tonight a motion to withdraw the censure was overwhelmingly passed by those present,” she said on Twitter.

“The proposer and seconder of the motion have agreed to withdraw the motion.”

The decision came as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told MPs that he will not be intervening if their local members try to have them deselected.

“I know what it feels like to be the target of a no-confidence vote,” Corbyn said.

“But it would be wrong for me to intervene in the democratic rights of any part of the Labour Party.”

Wes Streeting MP described the MP for Canterbury as "one of the most likeable people in politics".

He added: "not a bad bone in her body and a champion for Canterbury.

"Rosie Duffield and a positive Labour team won the seat narrowly last time. This is an unnecessary and unhelpful stunt."

High-profile left wing activist Owen Jones, who has vocally criticised opponents of Jeremy Corbyn, also tweeted his support, saying:

"One of the incredible highlights of the 2017 election was when Rosie Duffield, a working-class single mum, won Canterbury for Labour for the first time in history - and on an anti-austerity platform, too."

On Tuesday morning Ms Duffield said: “Overwhelmed by the support I’ve received today.

“Thank you so much to all who’ve been in touch or tweeted. Luckily, this tiny group of members do not represent my wonderful CLP as a whole and they weren’t able to ruin my last day spent with my eldest son before he leaves for Uni.”

(Image: AFP)

Originally the Canterbury Labour Party told members an emergency motion had been approved by the chairman to hear matters regarding Ms Duffield‘s actions.

The signatories of the letter said they were unhappy with Ms Duffield’s actions and reaffirmed support for Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader.

The letter reads: “We have observed the words and conduct of our Labour MP, Rosie Duffield, and we are dissatisfied at her decision to involve herself with groups and organisations that are campaigning to damage our Party, as well as impede its efforts to ensure the right to criticise crimes committed by the state of Israel.

“We are particularly concerned that Rosie chose to show her support for these parties at a demonstration organised to groundlessly accuse the Party of systematic antisemitism.

“She compounded this conduct by carelessly appearing to threaten the leader at a meeting of an organisation which, though affiliated with the Labour Party, does not at all times share its priorities."

(Image: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

The letter continued: “With regret, this Constituency Labour Party (CLP) censures Rosie Duffield for this conduct.

“We also urge her to consult with and seek guidance from the democratically elected officers of the Canterbury Constituency Labour Party on issues of this level of contention.



“On matters of political sensitivity the democratic support of this CLP will clearly strengthen her position in dealing with others."

Ms Duffield said earlier this year: "For me, this demonstration was about antisemitism and what we are doing about it.

"It was not about Jeremy Corbyn and his leadership, although I accept some have tried to make it about that.

"I attended to express my solidarity with those in our Jewish community who have experienced antisemitism.

"Indeed, I have myself seen some of the most horrendous and sickening antisemitic comments and attacks on social media and emails directed at some of our comrades and my friends.

"I was there in solidarity with them on this specific issue. I am against, and have campaigned against, all forms of racism and can not turn aside when antisemitism raises its ugly head."

However, party member Chris Eales is among those still fully in support of Ms Duffield and has bemoaned the motion.

He told Kent Live : "I am shocked and appalled at this motion. It exactly demonstrates the sort of bullying which Chuka Umunna and other MPs have been calling out in recent days and weeks.



"The denial of the existence of any antisemitism on the part of the 'hard-left' is disgusting and shameful, and does not deserve a place in our party."