REDDY TO BLOW
WARRING Labour has collapsed into chaos over their Euro election defeat — as a human rights watchdog launched a probe into anti-Jewish hatred within its ranks.
Infighting gripped the party north and south of the border, sparking claims it was plunging into an “existential crisis”.
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UK leader Jeremy Corbyn and Scottish boss Richard Leonard came under fire for finishing with a record low share of the vote after refusing to back ditching Brexit or holding a second referendum.
And two of the party’s MSPs — Neil Findlay and Daniel Johnson — quit their frontbench positions.
Mr Findlay, Mr Corbyn’s top ally in Scotland, resigned as Brexit spokesman and campaign boss.
And justice spokesman Mr Johnson stood down over his anger at the leadership’s EU split tactics.
Senior Scottish Labour figures claim party ‘might never recover’ from Euro elections as Richard Leonard comes under fire
As Labour tore itself apart, Nicola Sturgeon said: “You can’t overestimate the scale of the electoral disaster the Labour party suffered last Thursday. They are in existential crisis territory here.”
Tory MSP Annie Wells added: “People who once voted Labour must be wondering what on earth is going on.”
Scottish Labour lost both their MEPs at the Euro elections and finished fifth after landing less than ten per cent of the vote.
The party’s MSPs were holed up for two hours yesterday in a group meeting at Holyrood, where sources revealed that Mr Leonard was bombarded with criticism.
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As the summit played out, it emerged Lothians MSP Mr Findlay had quit his role and would stand down as an MSP in 2021.
In his resignation letter, he set out a six-point strategy to “rebuild” Labour, including plans to “end the eternal, internal fighting within our party and the toxic culture of leaks and briefings”.
But sources said Mr Findlay — the linchpin in the left-wing faction that seized control of Scottish Labour in 2017 — was unhappy with Mr Leonard’s “flip flop” on Brexit.
The party chief had performed a U-turn on Monday by saying he would back another referendum.
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One insider said: “Findlay is highly influential and will remain so as long as Corbyn is leader. This takes the heat off Leonard — but he’s weaker without Findlay.”
Hours later, Edinburgh Southern MSP Mr Johnson also quit the frontbench, saying: “I feel this is the only way I can effectively represent my constituents’ views on Europe that we must make every effort to ensure the UK remains in the EU.”
Labour’s Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray called on Mr Leonard to “consider his position” and said he had been “too wedded to not having his own mind about what’s in the best interests of Scotland and the Scottish Labour Party”.
He said: “I’m glad he’s realised that the position in Scotland has to change. If the position does change, that’s strong leadership. If it doesn’t change, or there’s any ambiguity, then the voters will decide and the party will get what it deserves.”
After the meeting, insiders confirmed there were no direct calls for Mr Leonard to quit. But one MSP said: “Watch this space.”
Speaking to waiting reporters, the party leader insisted he was not going to resign.
He added: “We recognise that nine per cent is an incredibly bad result but we need to come together to build a way from that.
“I am taking the flak, and I am prepared to take the flak, for what was a poor result. Sometimes when your back’s against the wall, people come together.”
Last night MSPs were hauled into another two-hour summit with Mr Leonard, who afterwards insisted he had the support of his group.
A party spokeswoman said: “It was a constructive meeting with frank and honest opinions.”
Absent as loss MEP is lauded
THE party were absent from the Holyrood chamber today as MSPs discussed their Euro election wipeout.
Their benches lay empty as leader Richard Leonard is thought to have held a group meeting at the time.
They missed their outgoing MEP David Martin being praised by Nats minister Fiona Hyslop for his service in the Euro parly — after he lost the seat he’d held since 1984.
MSPs clapped as she said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to pay tribute and extend our gratitude to David Martin.
“He’s provided wisdom, commitment and advice on Scottish matters in the European Parliament for decades.”
Tory Adam Tomkins joked it was “symbolic” no Labour MSPs were present as “there are no longer any Labour MEPs representing Scotland”.
UK-wide, long-term Eurosceptic Mr Corbyn’s party polled 14.1 per cent and lost half of its 20 MEPs, with voters left confused on Labour’s muddled stance on Brexit.
Deputy leader Tom Watson was among members of Mr Corbyn’s top team calling for him end his fence-sitting on both Brexit and a second EU referendum.
He said: “The time is now to show some humility, to listen and to move very, very quickly.”
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Shadow chancellor John McDonnell also moved to corner his boss, saying Labour could back Remain in another poll.
Diane Abbott — shadow home secretary and a key ally of Mr Corbyn — insisted Labour was “moving towards a clearer line”.
But adding to confusion, she said: “There is no inherent contradiction between respecting the result of the referendum and having a People’s Vote, not least because it’s still not sure how a People’s Vote would pan out.”
Campbell axed after voting Lib Dem
ALASTAIR Campbell was kicked out of Labour yesterday after revealing he voted “tactically” for the Lib Dems in the Euro elections.
The former Downing Street spin doctor admitted he was “sad and disappointed” by the decision to expel him.
Mr Campbell, 62, said it came just as party chiefs seemed to be “moving to the right place on Brexit, thanks to tactical voting by members”.
He wrote on Twitter: “I am and always will be Labour.
“I voted Lib Dem to try to persuade Labour to do the right thing for country/party.”
Mr Campbell — a leading campaigner for a second EU referendum — said he will be appealing the decision.
A Labour spokesman said: “Support for another party or candidate is incompatible with party membership.”
At Westminster, the party also faced an onslaught as the Equality and Human Rights Commission launched a probe into anti-Semitism under the Corbyn regime.
The EHRC said it would be formally investigating if the party had “unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people because they are Jewish”.
The watchdog — which can make recommendations or draw up a legally enforceable action plan — said it had contacted Labour after receiving a “number of complaints” about allegations of anti-Semitism within the party.
Veteran Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge said: “For Corbyn to have led us down this path is unforgivable.”
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Gideon Falter, from the Campaign Against Antisemitism, blasted: “Over the course of his leadership we have seen enough to convince us that Jeremy Corbyn is unfit for any public office.”
And Labour MP Wes Streeting added: “This is a day of great shame for the Labour party and a damning indictment on the failure of our leadership.”
Labour vowed it would “cooperate fully” with the EHRC, and rejected “any suggestion that the party does not handle anti-Semitism complaints fairly and robustly”.
chris.musson@the-sun.co.uk
Jeremy Corbyn is door-stepped after equality watchdog launches Labour anti-Semitism probe
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