Chris Williamson row: How will Jeremy Corbyn handle antisemitism claims?
The Labour leader's office could decide, for the sake of party unity and harmony, to look again at the Chris Williamson case.
Thursday 27 June 2019 22:48, UK
The intervention by Keith Vaz, one of the members of the National Executive Committee who decided to lift the suspension of Chris Williamson over his antisemitism remarks in February, could be a problem for Jeremy Corbyn.
On the other hand, it could be an opportunity.
In a letter to Jennie Formby, Labour's general secretary, he made the unusual claim that the decision over Mr Williamson was invalid because some of the discussions were subsequently leaked.
He then went on to declare: "In order to ensure complete integrity of the process either a new panel should be convened or all the cases from yesterday should be referred to the disputes committee for reconsideration."
From the tone of Mr Corbyn's remarks, which were filmed before around 100 Labour MPs and peers wrote an emotive letter condemning the decision, revisiting the decision looked unlikely.
However, the Labour leader's office could decide - for the sake of party unity and harmony - to acquiesce to Mr Vaz's request and rerun the process, potentially coming up with a different outcome.
The challenge is distinctly uncomfortable. Mr Corbyn's allies could just dismiss it as provocation by Tom Watson, Labour's deputy leader.
However, the breadth of names who signed the letter is striking - from frontbenchers like Jennie Chapman, to Corbyn supporters like Alex Sobel.
The former general secretary Lord McNichol is on there too.
The letter also brings the matter personally to Mr Corbyn's in-tray, attempting to demolish his claim the complaints process is independent.
While MPs and peers may force this issue - not least next Monday at the parliamentary party meeting - there have been revolts before.
This time the context has changed - and the Equalities and Human Rights Commission is investigating the party over the claim it is institutionally antisemitic.
This could force the disclosure of internal texts and other messages over handling of issues such as those relating to Mr Williamson.
The handling of this case could yet prove more challenging than any other.