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

Jennie Formby
Ed Sykes


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.

Related articles

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:

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

We need your help ...

The coronavirus pandemic is changing our world, fast. And we will do all we can to keep bringing you news and analysis throughout. But we are worried about maintaining enough income to pay our staff and minimal overheads.

Now, more than ever, we need a vibrant, independent media that holds the government to account and calls it out when it puts vested economic interests above human lives. We need a media that shows solidarity with the people most affected by the crisis – and one that can help to build a world based on collaboration and compassion.

We have been fighting against an establishment that is trying to shut us down. And like most independent media, we don’t have the deep pockets of investors to call on to bail us out.

Can you help by chipping in a few pounds each month?

The Canary Support us
  • Show Comments

    3. So glad I’ve left. The issue now is ‘do I vote Labour in 2024’? I know the arguments about abstaining. ‘letting the tories in’ etc etc.

      But no way am I going to be taken for granted as a hitherto non-swing voter; no way am I voting for the present bunch; no way am I voting for a Party that doesn’t challenge the establishment, is inconsistent in handling complaints and whose leading members are offering no opposition whatsoever in many ways.

      Some have said “Starmer is playing a long game”. Rubbish. There is no time to think of ‘long games’. We effectively have bribery, corruption and lack of democracy in Parliament NOW.

      Socialism or no vote.

      Report comment

    Leave a Reply

    Join the conversation

    Please read our comment moderation policy here.

Related articles