Tag: Claudia Webbe

Labour has declined to endorse a controversial candidate who suggested that last year’s Manchester Arena bombing may not have occurred, in effect removing her as a prospective MP. A panel from Labour’s national executive committee – including Unite union’s national officer, Jim Kennedy, the GMB union’s national political officer, Cath Speight, and the Islington councillor Claudia Webbe – called Richards to an emergency meeting to explain herself, the Guardian understands. The decision has been taken not to endorse her candidacy. Richards has been placed under civil restraint by the high court, preventing her from bringing any legal action without judicial approval. She is reported to have made “false and vexatious claims” against MI5 and MI6 and a long list of others, including her GP and Thames Water. Richards was told by the panel she had broken the rules when she did not disclose any information in response to that question in the application form or interview. A source close to the NEC said the committee had decided to take swift action. “The panel is people from right across the political spectrum,” the source said. “This is not a factional decision but a unanimous one that no one else on the NEC would block,” the source said. “There will be plenty of others now who want to contest that seat.” On Tuesday night, members of the local Worcester party’s committee met to discuss the selection, agreeing to back the NEC’s decision.