Statement by Eric Heffer, Tony Benn, Dennis Skinner, Frances clear as to what the charges were.
all that natural justice was being denied.
ty from Liverpool, recorded vote by 20 to 9.
Tony Benn then moved, to 9.
First because the NEC by the judge, Curran, Jo Richardson, Eric Clarke and Joan Maynard, 26 March 1986 THE seven members of the Labour Party NEC who left the NEC meeting this morning, left because it became obvious that those who were invited to answer charges were not It was very clear that the first member invited in, Felicity Dowling, did not understand what the charges were, and asked to go away and stud them. A clear statement of the revised charge were not given to her in writing. It was at this stage that we left the meeting because it was evident to us Earlier, Eric Heffer had moved, seconded by Dennis Skinner: "That the NEC take no action in respect of the charges against members of the par until all members of the NEC have received a written transcript of the court ruling and the statements made by the judge in the case heard yesterday.' That was defeated on a seconded by Joan Maynard: "That the charges laid against the Liverpool members, and the evidence on which they are based, be withdrawn, for reconsideration in the light of the court ruling.' That was also defeated 20 We therefore wish to dissociate ourselves completely from the decisions taken today by the NEC • was not given the full transcript of the court ruling, and the comments before proceeding to try the cases before them. Secondly, because it is our view that the procedures adopted were in clear breach of the rules of natural justice, which those members of the party facing serious charges were entitled to expect would be applied, and thirdly because the actions of the NEC in our view have inflicted grave and wholly unnecessary, damage upon the party.
Socialist Action 4 April 1986