Threat of legal action over Sandwell Labour councillor de-selections
The Labour party faces possible court action from its own councillors after seven Sandwell politicians were prevented from standing in elections.
And a leading party member has warned other de-selected members from across the country could join the legal challenges.
The threat of lawsuits comes as West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson accused members of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) of a campaign against long-standing party activists.
In Sandwell, party officials have imposed candidates in all of the 24 seats being contested in May, dropping seven sitting councillors including the present mayor.
One is former council leader Steve Eling who said the de-selections are contrary to Labour rules and could see members taking their own party to court.
He said the imposition of candidates had proved his dire warning of a ‘political bloodbath’ in the borough to be right.
Councillor Eling’s party membership was suspended by the NEC in January after an unspecified complaint was made against him.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service he and other councillors could take legal action, though he added it would be too late to affect the candidate list for May.
“I think this could end up in court and not just me, because the way people in Sandwell have been treated is just atrocious.
“But I think there is going to be a head of steam across the country because it’s not just happening in Sandwell.
“I have been contacted about this happening in other places as well and everyone may come together where it’s suggested the Labour Party has acted unlawfully.
“There are reports of how the party has ripped up the rule book and from what I can see in Sandwell, that is the case.”
Counillor Eling’s comments come at Labour's deputy leader, Mr Watson, told the Express & Star of his outrage at the de-selections.
He said it "was the hard left wreaking retribution" on long serving councillors.
Mr Watson added that it was "completely anti-democratic and against all normal rules of natural justice".
The six other deselected councillors are Sandwell’s mayor Joy Edis, the deputy mayor Carol Goult, Great Barr councillor Shirley Hosell, Newton councillor Dave Hosell and Hateley Heath’s Pat Davies and Keith Davies who represents the Smethwick ward.
Two councillors, Anna Shackleton and Olwen Jones, have won appeals against their removal from the candidates’ list and will now be allowed to stand in May.
By George Makin, Local Democracy Reporter
