Jeremy Corbyn ALLY Christine Shawcroft resigns amid Labour antisemitism row
Jeremy Corbyn’s close ally Christine Shawcroft has resigned from Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) amid the ongoing antisemitism row engulfing the party, it has emerged.
Christine Shawcroft has resigned from Labour’s National Executive Committee
Ms Shawcroft stated that her membership of the NEC had become a “distraction” for the party in a statement.
She said: "It is clear that my continued membership of the NEC has become a distraction for the Party and an excuse for endless intrusive media harassment of myself, my family and friends.
"I reaffirm my complete opposition to antisemitism and my abhorrence of Holocaust denial, and support all measures to tackle this within the Party.
“And I pledge my full energy to securing for our country the Labour government under Jeremy Corbyn that it so desperately needs."
Ms Shawcroft added: "It has been a privilege to serve on the Labour Party National Executive Committee for the last 19 years, and I was standing down in September in any event.
“I have, however, decided to resign with immediate effect."
Mr Corbyn is understood to have spoken to Ms Shawcroft regarding her departure and has thanked her for her service.
An eruption in the Labour Party had emerged after it was revealed that Ms Shawcroft had opposed the suspension of a council candidate that had been accused of calling the Holocaust a “hoax”.
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The move follows Ms Shawcroft’s decision on Thursday to resign as the chair of the Labour Party’s disputes panel.
Tom Watson, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, had already called for Ms Shawcroft to resign.
In total, it has been reported that 39 Labour MPs had written to Mr Corbyn calling for Ms Shawcroft to be suspended following her actions.
Mr Corbyn is understood to have spoken to Ms Shawcroft regarding her departure
Tom Watson had already called for Ms Shawcroft to resign
It is understood that comedian Eddie Izzard will replace Ms Shawcroft on the NEC.
Mr Izzard was the second most popular candidate at the last NEC election.