Fears of Labour Leaks whitewash as Corbyn ally Jennie Formby ‘steps aside’ as general secretary

Jennie Formby has stood down as Labour’s general secretary amid a period of upheaval and scandal in the Labour Party. And some now fear a whitewash of the Labour Leaks scandal may be on the cards.

Formby, Corbyn and Labour Leaks

A close ally of former leader Jeremy Corbyn, Formby stressed as she resigned that:

When I applied for the role of general secretary in 2018 it was because I wanted to support Jeremy Corbyn, who inspired so many people to get involved in politics with his message of hope, equality and peace.

Corbyn and his parliamentary allies quickly praised Formby’s “courage” and “commitment” during her time in the role.

As general secretary, Formby faced pressure from the right of the party to undertake numerous controversial suspensions of left-wingers, some of which went forward.

The resignation comes as Labour investigates the Labour Leaks scandal, which revealed right-wing efforts in the party to undermine Corbyn’s leadership and election efforts. The leaked report also exposed racism and discrimination targeting Corbyn allies.

The battle for the soul of the party continues

A Labour Party source has reportedly told the SKWAWKBOX that new leader Keir Starmer “knew he wanted Jennie gone and raised it with her the night he won the election”. They also claimed that:

There was an agreement weeks ago for her to resign and [Starmer] wanted [Formby] gone before the NEC elections for fear the left might unite and win the slate, making it harder to install his choice – which is still Emilie Oldknow.

According to the SKWAWKBOX, another Labour source believes “the committee set up to investigate Labour Leaks is full of people friendly to Emilie”. The outlet said Starmer’s office had “declined to comment” on the above quotes.

As Novara Media co-founder Aaron Bastani has reported, Oldknow was allegedly “Team Starmer’s favoured candidate” to take over from Formby. But she “was implicated in the Labour leaks scandal”.

Bastani and others now fear the investigation into the Labour Leaks scandal could result in a whitewash:

NEW: Labour’s NEC weren’t given names of those being proposed to head up internal investigation into leaks before meeting, so they had no time to do checks.

Basic due diligence not happening. Hardly a good start – and something you wouldn’t see in any healthy organisation.

— Aaron Bastani (@AaronBastani) May 1, 2020

After everything that's happened inside Labour, and revelations in leaked report, why would anyone assume "due dilligence had been done"? https://t.co/WmncarFXwu

— FiveFilters.org (@fivefilters) May 1, 2020

Fair to say @TheLadyWilcox is a rather factional choice to investigate the revelations surrounding the leaked Labour report.

Basic professionalism around this appears entirely impossible. pic.twitter.com/s9wVpklq5A

— Aaron Bastani (@AaronBastani) May 1, 2020

Just unbelievable. The idea of bouncing an NEC into having an individual like this investigate organisational failures of historic mangnitude is just astonishing.

A really rotten political culture. pic.twitter.com/oMySEJ0OpW

— Aaron Bastani (@AaronBastani) May 1, 2020

Confirmed that Lord Dubs was suggested as member of the panel to investigate leaked Labour report. Sensible given claim dealing with anti-semitism in party was stifled under former party management – and Lord Dubs is Jewish.

The right of the NEC voted against it.

— Aaron Bastani (@AaronBastani) May 1, 2020

Wow.

Keir Starmer voted AGAINST the appointment of Lord Dubbs, the only Jewish person proposed for the independent #LabourReport investigation.

That is not a good look considering it is a report on antisemitism. What kind of message does this send to Jewish people? https://t.co/zOEufFaLdm

— Alex Tiffin (@RespectIsVital) May 1, 2020

One thing is clear: the battle for the soul of the Labour Party is far from over.

Featured image via Labour Party, with additional material via Press Association