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Labour has plunged into a storm on the eve of its party conference after a top Jeremy Corbyn ally launched a surprise bid to oust Tom Watson.

Momentum founder Jon Lansman tabled a bombshell motion to remove the deputy leader's position at Labour's ruling body tonight - in what a source branded a last-minute move.

Chair Wendy Nichols ruled the motion out of order. Members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) voted 17-10 to rule it back in, but it needed a two-thirds majority.

Now it is on the agenda for a crucial NEC meeting at 10am tomorrow - and will need only a simple 50% majority to pass.

If it passes, it would then be sent to the floor of this weekend's annual conference in Brighton for a final vote.

The move sets up a dramatic showdown and could see Tom Watson dislodged from power within days after four years of on-and-off battles with parts of the left.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

The West Bromwich East MP was democratically elected by Labour members at the same time as Jeremy Corbyn in 2015.

But he has become a critic of the leader's position on Brexit and anti-Semitism and frequently clashed with the left.

Last week Mr Watson, who has long been more pro-Remain than Mr Corbyn, defied the official line by saying Labour should back a second referendum before a general election.

One source said Mr Lansman accused Mr Watson of "disloyalty" over Europe at tonight's NEC showdown.

A source close to Mr Lansman denied he used the word, saying he had never personally attacked the Labour deputy.

But they confirmed Mr Lansman tabled the motion and spoke out against Tom Watson "undermining" Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer with his announcement.

(Image: Rex Features)

Tom Watson was not at tonight's NEC - meaning there will be electric meeting tomorrow in Brighton that will decide the deputy's future.

Allies of Mr Watson - who missed the NEC due to childcare commitments - demanded Mr Corbyn make clear he would support the deputy leader.

More than two hours after the meeting, there was still no confirmation of whether the leader would support, oppose or abstain on the bid to remove his deputy at 10am on Saturday.

An ally of Mr Corbyn tonight could not immediately confirm if he would vote down the move - or support it.

A pro-Tom Watson Labour source fumed: “There’s nothing we can do. Tom can go and argue his corner but that’s it.

"Jeremy Corbyn has sanctioned this. It wouldn’t have happened without his approval. Only he can now put a stop to it”.

Labour MP Wes Streeting branded the move "outrageous" and "self-destructive".

Labour MP Darren Jones added: "Disunity loses elections. Getting rid of @tom_watson as our Deputy Leader will mean ultimately failing the people they say they care about. What will they prioritise?"

Labour MP Ged Killen added: "These are not the actions of people who want Labour to win an election.

"You can’t just abolish positions because you don’t agree with the people holding them. Disgraceful."

(Image: Getty Images)

Momentum said discussions about the motion had been under way for some time. But a furious ally of Mr Watson said he was given no notice of it.

A Momentum source said: "No one person is more important than beating Boris Johnson, ending austerity and tackling the climate emergency.

"We just can’t afford to go into an election with a deputy leader set on wrecking Labour’s chances.

"Labour members overwhelmingly want a deputy leadership election, but our outdated rulebook won’t let it happen.

"You need 20% of Labour MPs to trigger an election, and they just won’t let the members have a fair and open election."