You can find the same element to this story in various locations including:
"The Labour party last night suspended the six councillors and sent officials to monitor elections in Birmingham."
Now ... what we have is Six Councillors found to have been involved in electoral fraud to the criminal burden of proof.
The criminal burden of proof is "Beyond reasonable doubt".
The Labour Party's immediate response is to "Suspend them".
Now I would accept that if merely allegations were raised that may be appropriate. However, we have had a High Court sitting for over a month going through the cases.
The question is "Where is the doubt?" On what basis do Labour expect to reinstate the councillors (now ex-councillors).
What is holding the Labour Party back from expelling the councillors?
Clearly they know which other Labour Councillors got elected through election fraud. As do I presume other members of the Labour Party.
It does seem that Labour are "standing by" their disgraced councillors.
Why?
Labour Deputy Leader "standing by" disgraced ex-councillors as they are interviewed on the steps of the BMI.
"The Labour party last night suspended the six councillors and sent officials to monitor elections in Birmingham."
Now ... what we have is Six Councillors found to have been involved in electoral fraud to the criminal burden of proof.
The criminal burden of proof is "Beyond reasonable doubt".
The Labour Party's immediate response is to "Suspend them".
Now I would accept that if merely allegations were raised that may be appropriate. However, we have had a High Court sitting for over a month going through the cases.
The question is "Where is the doubt?" On what basis do Labour expect to reinstate the councillors (now ex-councillors).
What is holding the Labour Party back from expelling the councillors?
Clearly they know which other Labour Councillors got elected through election fraud. As do I presume other members of the Labour Party.
It does seem that Labour are "standing by" their disgraced councillors.
Why?
Labour Deputy Leader "standing by" disgraced ex-councillors as they are interviewed on the steps of the BMI.
Comments
Unusually, I agree with Sion Simon on Newsnight last night, when he took issue with the statement that the election fraud was city-wide. I believe that the judge erred on this point.
They have been sacked by the judge.
Labour hasn't stood by them so far - remember that the lawyers were withdrawn early on? That's not a sign of a party ready to harbour fraudsters.
I do employ scores of people personally. I know employment law. The Councillors have already been sacked. Being expelled by the Labour Party would only mean that they would not be campaigning for Labour in the General Election.