Tom Watson calls for rethink over West Brom's safe standing bid

Tom Watson has urged the Government to reconsider Albion's bid to introduce a safe standing section at The Hawthorns.

The deputy Labour leader had backed the Baggies bid to run a pilot scheme in the to[p tier of the Smethwick End next season, but the plans were rejected by ministers in April.

Now his fellow Labour MP Rosena Allin-Khan has submitted a written question to the Government asking them to reconsider the refusal.

The Government is to review the issue of standing at matches in the Premier League and Championship, with a debate scheduled in Parliament for June 25.

Railed seating is commonly used in the Bundesliga

West Bromwich East MP Mr Watson said: "The Government ignored the advice from safety authorities when they rejected West Brom's application to introduce safe standing two months ago.

"I would hope that the Government will now reconsider this decision given that they now wish to review seated-only stadia."

Ms Allin-Khan said: "Labour has listened to fans across the country and is proud to support the introduction of safe standing at football matches.

"The Government could use West Brom's proposal as a trial for next season – I urge the Minister to reconsider. Football fans want a Government which is on their side."

Albion's bid for a safe standing area would have meant 3,600 seats at The Hawthorns were converted to 'rail seats', which can be locked in an upright position.

It was rejected by Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch, who said in April that there were no plans to change the all-seater policy at grounds.

Operations manager Mark Miles believes it would improve safety at The Hawthorns

At the time Mark Miles, Albion’s director of operations, described the decision as ‘short-sighted’ and ‘disappointing’, while the Football Supporters' Federation accused Ms Crouch of 'declaring war on fans'.

Standing in English football's top two divisions was outlawed by the Football Spectators' Act in 1989, following recommendations made in the Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster, which saw 96 Liverpool fans die.

But after more than 100,000 people signed a petition which called for Premier League and Championship clubs to allow safe-standing, the issue will be discussed in Parliament.

Safe seating sections are in use at Celtic Park and at stadiums in Germany's Bundesliga.