Labour deputy Tom Watson continues feud with Corbyn, as he reveals hard left plot to take over the party
Watson produces four-page dossier proving hard left militants' plan to take control of Labour
LABOUR’S deputy leader Tom Watson deepened his war of words with Jeremy Corbyn yesterday as he handed over a damning dossier revealing sinister practices of hard left groups plotting to take over the party.
The row between Labour’s top two snowballed yesterday after Jezza allies accused Mr Watson of peddling “baseless conspiracy theories”.
But he hit back sending Mr Corbyn a letter and a four-page dossier of evidence to back up his claims insisting they were “fact”.
Mr Watson wrote: “I have no doubt that many Momentum members are genuine in their desire to campaign vigorously against Tory inequality but there is no denying that tightly-organised factions are also organising within Momentum and the party.”
“There has been an increase in members of proscribed organisations attempting to join the party, in particular members of the Socialist Party (formerly Militant) and the Alliance for Workers’ Liberty (formerly Socialist Organiser).
“We both receive the regular reports to the NEC (National Executive Committee) which list the people from other political parties that have been excluded from our party.
“It’s not a conspiracy theory to say that members of these organisations are joining Labour. It’s a fact.”
And Mr Watson listed a sinister ten point plan used by hard-left militants plotting to take control of Labour party meetings.
The pair’s row followed Andy Burnham’s victory in the race to become Labour’s candidate for Manchester Mayor.
Yesterday Steve Rotheram – a close ally of Mr Corbyn was announced as the candidate for Liverpool, in another blow for Labour moderates.
He beat current elected mayor Joe Anderson and former frontbencher Luciana Berger to be selected to fight the election next year.
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Mr Rotheram, a parliamentary aide to the Labour leader, said he was “deeply honoured and humbled” to be picked and pledged to “stand up for ordinary people”.
Mr Corbyn said: “Congratulations to Steve Rotheram on being selected as Labour’s candidate to take our message for social justice to the people of Merseyside.
Jon Lansman, chairman of the Corbyn-supporting Momentum movement, said the result was a “victory for democracy”.