A ‘cyberbullying’ Labour aide who escaped party expulsion today faced further criticism from Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonagh who said he should have faced a disciplinary inquiry.
Andrew Fisher, who suggested Croydon South residents should vote for a Class War candidate in May’s general election, faced calls for expulsion over his Twitter post.
Ms McDonagh released a joint statement with Caroline Flint MP insisting that a warning from The National Executive Committee over his conduct was inadequate.
“We are disappointed that the Labour Party has decided not to proceed with a full disciplinary inquiry into Andrew Fisher,” Ms Flint and Ms McDonagh said.
“The chair of this investigation has been subjected to huge pressure, and this has compromised the independence and integrity of Labour’s disciplinary process.
“It is unacceptable for members to support other parties, delight in Labour MPs losing their seats or to engage in cyber-bullying.
“Others have been excluded from our party for less than the activities of Mr Fisher. It would appear that there is one rule for members and one rule for those who work for the party leader.”
The Labour aide insisted he had been ‘misinterpreted’ and made an apology for a tweet in August 2014 that appeared to endorse the Class War candidate in the Croydon South constituency rather than Labour’s candidate Emily Benn.
Mr Corbyn said he retained ‘full confidence’ in the former trade union official who continued to work for the Labour leader despite his suspension earlier this month.
“Andrew Fisher has been issued with an NEC warning and his suspension has been lifted with immediate effect,” a Labour Party spokesman said.
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