Labour's divisions deepened today as the party’s most senior official clashed with shadow chancellor John McDonnell.
General secretary Iain McNicol publicly slapped down Mr McDonnell for accusing the party machine of launching a “rigged purge” of Left-wingers.
Writing on Twitter he said: “John, just to clarify you say ‘party officials’. Decisions are made by elected NEC members, and not party staff.”
The latest row blew up after Left-wing union boss Ronnie Draper, who leads the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, was suspended by Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee.
Allies of Jeremy Corbyn are furious at what they see as attempts to tilt the leadership contest by purging the party membership of his backers. Officials insist they are just enforcing the rules.
In a statement that prompted Mr McNicol’s retort, Mr McDonnell said: “Labour party members will not accept what appears to be a rigged purge of Jeremy Corbyn supporters. The conduct of this election must be fair and even-handed.”
Mr Draper, a party member for 40 years, told PoliticsHome he thought his suspension was “something to do with Twitter”.
Mr Corbyn was setting out what he called a “transformative” vision for the arts during campaigning in Scotland. He claimed: “There is creativity in all of us but we need to give people the opportunities for this creativity to flourish.”
Rival Owen Smith last night accused Mr Corbyn of being “happy” about the vote for the UK to leave the EU.
