A charity that self-describes as “strengthening democracy” has undermined its own work by vetoing the nomination of Chris Williamson as a candidate for its ‘MP of the Year’ award.

The Patchwork Foundation, which claims to encourage the positive integration of disadvantaged and minority communities into British democracy and civil society, pushed Mr Williamson off the list because his membership of the Labour Party has been suspended pending an investigation into claims of anti-Semitism. This is despite the fact that he continues his work as an outstanding constituency MP.

A letter from the organisation states:

“Our MP of the Year Awards seek to celebrate and recognise those MPs that uphold the ethos and values of the Fooundation; to champion underrepresented, minority or disadvantaged communities in the UK.

“MPs under investigation or suspension would not be included. As such, Chris Williamson’s nomination could not be taken forward this year, as he is currently suspended from the Labour Party.”

Here it is:

What message does this send to disadvantaged and minority communities? “Don’t get accused of anything because the establishment – including this organisation – will automatically assume that you are guilty”? “We will pre-judge you on anything that is said about you”? “Don’t dare try to make a difference because you will be punished”?

That’s what it says to me.

By getting on the witch-hunt’s bandwagon, it seems clear that the Patchwork Foundation has abandoned all hope of running a fair contest and whoever wins – no matter how good an MP he or she may be – will have to face the fact that they may have won it unfairly.

Mr Williamson has been gracious about it:

Some of those who nominated him are less pleased:

What do you think?

Is it reasonable that people should be denied an opportunity to show support for others they believe have been falsely accused, simply because they have been accused?

Or is this an example of Establishment figures clustering together to ostracise the innocent?

Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice. https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/mike-sivier-libel-fight/

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