Alastair Campbell's Expulsion From Labour Prompts Outrage And Accusations Of Double Standards

A slew of Labour MPs have condemned the decision.
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Alastair Campbell’s swift expulsion from Labour has prompted outrage and drawn comparisons to how the party has dealt with members accused of anti-Semitism and of threatening to kill MPs.

Tony Blair’s former spin doctor said in a tweet on Tuesday he was “sad and disappointed” to find out he had been given the boot, which happened just a day after he revealed he had voted for the Liberal Democrats in the European elections.

1. Sad and disappointed to receive email expelling me from @uklabour - particularly on a day leadership finally seems to be moving to the right place on Brexit, not least thanks to tactical voting by party members, including MPs, councillors and peers who back @peoplesvote_uk .

— Alastair PEOPLE’S VOTE Campbell (@campbellclaret) May 28, 2019

A Labour Party spokesman said the decision was made because “support for another political party or candidate is incompatible with Party membership”.

But the swift action was condemned by many on social media who drew comparisons to other Labour Party members who had not been expelled or had just faced suspension for a host of other misdemeanours.

Tony Robinson, who earlier this month ditched the party over its “duplicity on Brexit” and its leadership as “complete shit”, compared Campbell to people who had been accused of anti-Semitism.

He wrote: “Blimey! Labour struggling for years to take disciplinary action against members accused of anti-Semitism but managed to expel Alastair Campbell for voting Lib Dem over the course of one Bank Holiday weekend.

“Amazing new efficiency!!”

Blimey! Labour struggling for years to take disciplinary action against members accused of antisemitism but managed to expel Alastair Campbell for voting Lib Dem over the course of one Bank Holiday weekend. Amazing new efficiency!!

— Tony Robinson (@Tony_Robinson) May 28, 2019

Labour MP Jess Phillips said Campbell was “expelled quicker than a man who threatened to kill me, quicker than a man in my CLP who denied the Holocaust”.

She added: “Both are only still suspended.”

Yep I do have thoughts, he was expelled quicker than a man who threatened to kill me, quicker than a man in my CLP who denied the Holocaust, both are only still suspended. https://t.co/8dRZxC3Hd5

— Jess Phillips (@jessphillips) May 28, 2019

Some more cynical commentators suggested the entire row over Campbell had been manufactured to distract from the other big Labour news of the day – that the party is being investigated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) over whether it “unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people because they are Jewish”.

If I was facing an investigation into antisemitism and an internal row about Brexit policy, I too would expel a well known party member. Somewhere in his cold, dark spindoctor’s heart Alastair Campbell will be appreciating this professionalism from Labour

— Tim Shipman (@ShippersUnbound) May 28, 2019

Labour MP Wes Streeting referenced the EHRC investigation when he said he was “in awe at how quickly the Party can expedite expulsions when the political will exists”.

Very sorry to see this. Though in awe at how quickly the Party can expedite expulsions when the political will exists. Hope @EHRC spot the difference. https://t.co/46dlFSvaOf

— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) May 28, 2019

This was echoed by his colleague, Darren Jones, who said: “It seems the leadership of my party can move remarkably quickly to expel long standing members like @campbellclaret but it can’t seem to bring itself to expel anti-semites.

“This can’t carry on.”

It seems the leadership of my party can move remarkably quickly to expel long standing members like @campbellclaret but it can’t seem to bring itself to expel anti-semites. This can’t carry on. https://t.co/29W4DvaJ2C

— Darren Jones MP (@darrenpjones) May 28, 2019

Labour MPs Stella Creasy and Pat McFadden also tweeted their displeasure at the decision.

So @campbellclaret who did more than most to get Labour into Government gets expelled in an instant while anti semitism cases sit for months without conclusion. Reveals much about the culture at the top of LP. https://t.co/s9vVgX0MSB

— Pat McFadden (@patmcfaddenmp) May 28, 2019

Amazing how quickly the party disciplinary machine can move when it wants to.... 🤨#EnoughIsEnough https://t.co/Ib62DObXOW

— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) May 28, 2019

Change UK MP, Anna Soubry, said the incident was “another example of our broken politics” while colleague Sarah Wollaston said Campbell was “punished for his integrity”.

I’ve huge respect for Alistair @campbellclaret courageous campaign for better #MentalHealthAwareness & funding & his devotion to & hard graft for @peoplesvote_uk His expulsion is another example of our broken politics with both main parties gripped by extremists #ChangeUK https://t.co/yWVQS0SvUK

— Anna Soubry MP (@Anna_Soubry) May 28, 2019

Having helped to finally start shifting @UKLabour off the fence, the leadership have punished @campbellclaret for his integrity. He rightly contrasts his own rapid expulsion with the response to vile antisemites. https://t.co/nCuEPDsgzF

— Sarah Wollaston MP (@sarahwollaston) May 28, 2019

Campbell, who has been a long-standing advocate for a so-called people’s vote on EU membership, said he may launch a legal challenge over the decision.

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