Speeches by McDonnell.

“I think that across the House it took a long while to recover from the anger at the behaviour that was displayed in front of the Select Committee. The chief executive was acting with impunity because he had been able to price in those sorts of fines, and it was a cross-party view that we were angry about that behaviour…”

“I think the withdrawal is on a permanent basis. The suspension is a temporary one. When we were suspended, we were given six-month sentences—simple as that.”

“Yes; that is why I only want one word inserted.”

“I get the impression that anything you say now will be used in evidence against you at a future date. It is a hypothetical question and, to be honest, that is not anywhere near the ballgame we are at. There were seven people suspended, none of them wanted to form a political group, none of them have any intention to fo…”

“Yes, it is hypothetical.”

“Not a group; I have no intention of forming a group. I have made that extremely explicit all the way through. That would be contrary to the Labour party rules—a party within a party—and we would never seek to do that.”

“The parties themselves have to have the ability to depict who they are, and that should relate to the depiction that the candidate had as part of that party when they stood, but as actions of the party take place they should also be allowed, therefore, to ensure that that depiction is updated.”

“Yes.”

“There might be some literary offences, definitely. I am not arguing for that. I think that when people stand for election, the descriptor that they use then to the electorate is the one that they should hold to.”

“I think there is a role for the party to have a say. I would expect, particularly in my situation, the Labour party would want clarity, which is that I am Labour, and I am suspended. If the party wants to go further than that, I think that does imply that it is furthering the disciplinary process. If that is the case, …”

“The way the House operates at the moment is party labels. I think that is the best way to do it. If people want to describe themselves, because they were elected as independents and they want to describe themselves as independents, that is fine, but I think for clarity purposes the party labels are useful. That is why …”

“I don’t think people are interested in the record of crimes against the party. It is as simple as that. All I am asking for—I think Ian agrees—is I don’t think people are interested in the ins and outs; they just want to know your status. At the moment, is John McDonnell independent? Well, that is not the case. Is John…”

““Labour or innocent”, or something like that. No, I am being silly. When I wrote to the Speaker, just to clarify things, I said “Labour suspended”, and that is what we are. I just wanted to reflect the reality of it because it has caused confusion, and it does undermine your position within the constituency itself. Thi…”

“Yes. I think the examples in the past have been usually simultaneous. If it is so serious, you will have the Whip withdrawn and you will be expelled as well. With us it was suspension, but you continue on as normal as a party member.”

“I think the withdrawal is on a permanent basis. The suspension is a temporary one. When we were suspended, we were given six-month sentences—simple as that.”

“I was referring to Ian, actually. With us what happens is that the Whip is suspended, the party membership continues, and, as I say, you are obliged to follow the Whip, which we do, and you are entitled to operate as a party. I went to the Labour party conference; I am allowed to go as a party member, not ex officio, t…”

“Yes, exactly that. In our procedures, again, the suspension of the Whip is very rare. It has happened in the past, Aneurin Bevan and people like that, Harold Wilson. There are real prospects for people who have been suspended, but in our—”

“People rightfully said, “I did not vote for you as an independent”. “No, you didn’t. That is why I follow the Labour Whip. As far as I am concerned, I am a Labour MP. I am suspended from the Whip, but I am still a Labour MP.” What has happened now is, because you have an independent group—the technical group—people thi…”

“Whoever is to blame, let me know and I will write to them.”

“I have a regular conversation with the Chief Whip on a number of topics, as you can imagine. However, on this, I don’t think it was the party processes that got involved. It was the House procedures. I think the parties largely followed the descriptors that the House lays down. That is why I wrote to the Speaker and no…”