Labour deputy leader Tom Watson to skip main party conference speech in major break from convention
Mr Watson will speak to activists at a fringe event at the party's annual gathering instead
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson will break from convention by opting not to speak from the main stage at the party's annual conference.
Mr Watson's office confirmed that he would seek to address party activists at a fringe event at Labour's gathering in Liverpool in a fortnight - rather than making a traditional conference hall speech alongside other senior party figures.
His decision to tell officials to give his slot to Richard Corbett, the leader of Labour's MEPs, comes after his name was missing from the conference agenda last month, prompting speculation that he was being rebuked over criticisms of Jeremy Corbyn.
Mr Watson has been vocal in his disapproval of the handling of antisemitism allegations that have dogged the party, saying Labour would "disappear into a vortex of eternal shame and embarrassment” if the problem could not be resolved.
However a Labour source said Mr Watson's right to give a speech in the conference hall had never been in doubt.
His spokesperson said: “There has obviously been great difficulty with the conference agenda this year and Tom felt it was more important for the leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party (EPLP) to have the opportunity to address the conference on Brexit.
"He has therefore requested that the political team in the leader’s office and the Conference Arrangements Committee facilitate this.”
The shadow culture secretary, who has spoken from the conference hall each year since becoming deputy leader in 2015, will now address a fringe event instead.
A Labour source said: "The timing of other speeches has no effect on Tom's speech, which is in the timetable. There's no need for him to give up his slot."
The wrangle comes ahead of what promises to be a fiery Labour conference amid deep divisions over Brexit and the handling of antisemitism complaints.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments