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Who is Tom Watson? Former Labour deputy leader who has stepped down as MP
LABOUR’S deputy leader Tom Watson has announced that he is stepping down from his role and will not be running as an MP in the December election.
But who is he and what exactly has he said? Here's the latest.
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Who is Tom Watson?
Tom Watson, 52, is a British Labour Party politician who was elected as deputy leader of the Labour Party in September 2015.
Watson, who was born in Sheffield in 1967, has been the MP for West Bromwich East since the 2001 general election.
Watson was also Minister for Digital Engagement and Civil Service Issues at the Cabinet Office from 2008 to 2009.
In 2011, Ed Miliband appointed Watson as the Deputy Chair of the National Executive Committee and the Labour Party's Campaign Coordinator for the 2015 General Election.
Watson however resigned from both roles in July 2013.
Watson and wife Siobhan split in 2012 - the couple have two children together.
Why has Tom Watson stepped down?
He announced his decision on Twitter on November 6, 2019, writing: "After 35 years in full-time politics, I've decided to step down and will be campaigning to overcome the Tory-fuelled public health crisis. I'm as committed to Labour as ever.
"I will spend this election fighting for brilliant Labour candidates and a better future for our country."
He said that his decision was "personal not political" and plans to work on public health campaigns.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn thanked Mr Watson for his service, adding: "This is not the end of our work together."
In his letter to Corbyn, he thanked him "for the decency and courtesy you have shown me over the last four years, even in difficult times".
He added: "Our many shared interests are less well known than our political differences, but I will continue to devote myself to the things we often talk about" - including gambling regulation, stopping press intrusion and campaigns on public health.
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What are the 'bogus VIP sex abuse claims'?
A damning report by Judge Sir Richard Henriques suggested the Labour deputy leader panicked Met detectives into pursuing a baseless rape claim against former Home Secretary Lord Brittan.
The Met Police were also accused of “institutional stupidity” in the scandal.
One of those accused, ex-MP Harvey Proctor, demanded Watson be sacked, and said Met chief Dame Cressida Dick should consider her position.
Details also emerged of the “Witchfinder General”, Mr Watson’s, role in Operation Midland, the bungled VIP sex abuse inquiry.
Watson refused to apologise and accused the judge of inaccuracies.
He also faced criticism over his role in promoting the claims of fantasist Carl Beech, that there was a Westminster paedophile ring.
Daniel Janner, son of late Labour MP Lord Janner — another Beech victim — said Watson “applied pressure on police and should hang his head in shame and resign”.
Lord Brittan’s widow told The Times: “The extent of Tom Watson’s involvement in this witch-hunt has been laid bare. His subsequent attempts to distance himself show a complete lack of integrity.
“He has shown that he is unfit to hold the office of MP.”
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Is he being ousted from the party?
Watson branded the attempt to oust him from the party as a "drive-by shooting".
Senior party figures had plotted to abolish his post, but the motion was tabled at a meeting of Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) on September 20.
The motion was brought by Jon Lansman, founder of grassroots campaign group Momentum and a key ally of Jeremy Corbyn, but failed to gain the two-thirds majority required.
The NEC confirmed that it will instead carry out a review.
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What has he said about Brexit?
Watson has previously caused a rift in his party by by calling for a second referendum before a General Election.
Tom Watson said there was "no such thing as a good Brexit deal" and the 2016 Leave vote had been "invalidated".
Watson also called for Labour to “unambiguously and unequivocally back Remain”.
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