Labour MP blocked from standing for re-election following ‘critical criticism’

A Labour MP was blocked from standing for re-election after the party received a “serious complaint” about him.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, who has represented Brighton Kemptown since 2017, said the allegations were “vexatious” and “false”.

In a statement, the left-winger said that he believed the complaint was “politically motivated”. He wrote: “Someone (who remains anonymous to me) has made what I believe to be a vexatious and politically motivated complaint about my behaviour eight years ago. This is a false allegation that I dispute totally and I believe it was designed to disrupt this election.

“There isn’t enough time to defend myself as these processes within the party take too long, so the party [has] told me that I will not be eligible to be a candidate at the next election.”

Mr Russell-Moyle, 37, added: “I aim to cooperate with the investigations process to clear my name, but will now take this opportunity to contribute to public life in different ways under what I hope is a Labour government. I wish Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner, and the Labour team the best of luck and hope to be celebrating Labour wins across Sussex and beyond on election night.”

He went on: “I’m gutted. I’ve spent the last decade of my life building one of the best campaigning CLPs in the country. I’ve been so inspired by everyone pulling together in the last week and excited for the campaign to come. We have an amazing local party, and I am sorry most of all for you party members do will be let down by this.”

A Labour spokesman said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints extremely seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.” It is understood Mr Russell-Moyle is suspended pending investigation following the receipt of a serious complaint last week.

The suspension comes amid an ongoing row over disputed claims that Diane Abbott will be blocked from standing.