National Constitutional Committee
The National Constitutional Committee (NCC) is a senior organ of the UK Labour Party concerned with discipline. It is covered by Clause IX: of the Labour Party Rule Book, the governing document for the Labour Party in the United Kingdom. Representatives on the Committee have included Professor Cecile Wright, Vice-Chair of Momentum.{{cite web|url=https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/expertiseguide/sociology-social-policy/professor-cecile-yvonne-wright-.aspx|title=Professor Cecile Yvonne Wright |publisher=University of Nottingham|accessdate=2020-01-08}} Appointment is a democratic process.{{cite news|url=https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Chakrabarti-Inquiry-Report-30June16.pdf |title=The Shami Chakrabarti Report |publisher=Labour.org.uk |format=PDF}}
Discipline
=== Allegations of antisemitism ===
In 2018, an activist from the pro-Corbyn Momentum Black ConneXions, Marc Wadsworth was expelled from the Labour Party for bringing the party into disrepute.{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/labour-activist-marc-wadsworth-expelled-over-anti-semitism-row-11348450|title=Labour activist Marc Wadsworth expelled over anti-Semitism row|work=Sky News|date=27 April 2018|accessdate=27 April 2018}} This decision related to a confrontation on 30 June 2016 between him and Jewish Labour MP, Ruth Smeeth at the launch of the Chakrabarti Inquiry report into allegations of antisemitism and other forms of racism in the Labour Party.
At the first day's hearing by the NCC into Wadsworth's future in the Labour Party on 25 April 2018, Smeeth was escorted by Labour colleagues{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-mps-march-support-jewish-colleague-rutth-smeeth-antisemitism-hearing-a8321391.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-mps-march-support-jewish-colleague-rutth-smeeth-antisemitism-hearing-a8321391.html |archive-date=2022-06-18 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Dozens of Labour MPs march with Jewish colleague to antisemitism hearing|first=Ashley |last=Cowburn|date=2018-04-25|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2019-07-25}} while a group protested with pro-Wadsworth placards.{{cite news |title=Ruth Smeeth escorted by Labour colleagues to anti-Semitism hearing |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43892227 |accessdate=23 July 2019 |work=BBC News |date=25 April 2018}}{{cite news|last=Forrester|first=Kate|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour-mps-rally-around-colleague-ruth-smeeth-ahead-of-marc-wadsworth-anti-semitism-hearing_uk_5ae04e05e4b07be4d4c66268|title=Labour MPs Rally Around Colleague Ruth Smeeth Ahead Of Marc Wadsworth Anti-Semitism Hearing|work=HuffPost|date=25 April 2018|accessdate=27 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/marc-wadsworth-expelled-labour-party|title=Marc Wadsworth expelled from Labour party|website=www.voice-online.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-07-20}} Two Labour MPs were witnesses for Wadsworth. Chris Williamson made clear his views on the handling of antisemitism allegations.{{cite web|url=https://labourbriefing.org/blog/2018/4/27/marc-wadsworth-statement-by-chris-williamson-mp?rq=Chris%20Williamson%20MP%20on%20Marc%20Wadsworth|title=Statement by Chris Williamson MP on Marc Wadsworth's expulsion from the Labour Party|website=Labour Briefing|language=en-GB|date=27 April 2018|access-date=2019-07-21}} Clive Lewis alleged afterwards that there was racism against Wadsworth.{{cite web|url=https://theclarionmag.org/2018/05/20/clive-lewis-on-the-expulsion-of-marc-wadsworth-exclusive/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721065115/https://theclarionmag.org/2018/05/20/clive-lewis-on-the-expulsion-of-marc-wadsworth-exclusive/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 21, 2019|title=Clive Lewis on Marc Wadsworth’s expulsion|last=simonhannah81|date=2018-05-20|website=theclarionmag.org|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-21}} On 27 April 2018, the National Constitutional Committee found proven two charges including prejudicial and detrimental conduct, a breach of the Membership procedures of the Labour Party Rule Book. The NCC determined that the sanction would be expulsion from membership.{{cite news|last=Elgot|first=Jessica|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/27/labour-activist-marc-wadsworth-expelled-from-party-over-antisemitism-row|title=Labour activist Marc Wadsworth expelled from party over antisemitism row|work=The Guardian|date=27 April 2018|accessdate=27 April 2018}} Wadsworth's expulsion was welcomed by the Jewish Labour Movement{{cite news |last1=Elgot |first1=Jessica |title=Corbyn's office denies it advised Labour activist day before expulsion |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/27/labour-activist-marc-wadsworth-expelled-from-party-over-antisemitism-row |accessdate=25 July 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=28 April 2018}} while Jewish Voice for Labour passed a resolution calling for his reinstatement.{{cite web|url=https://www.jewishvoiceforlabour.org.uk/article/a-call-to-reinstate-marc-wadsworth-2/|title=A call to reinstate Marc Wadsworth|last=Kuper|first=Richard|website=Jewish Voice for Labour|language=en|date=7 May 2018|access-date=2019-07-20}}
Williamson later faced formal investigation and suspension.
Shami Chakrabarti's findings and recommendations included the procedural rule changes to improve the party's disciplinary process and the adoption and publication of a complaints procedure.
References
{{reflist}}