The controversial Labour politician Derek Hatton has been suspended from the party just two days after returning from a 34-year ban.
The 71-year-old and former deputy leader of Liverpool council had been welcomed back on Monday after having the ban imposed by former leader, Neil Kinnock, revoked.
Kinnock had objected to Hatton, a militant firebrand, belonging to the hard-left faction within the Labour party.
Hatton had been asked to return after eight rebel MPs broke away from the party to form the newly established Independent Group.
Hatton's new suspension comes after a 2012 tweet from his account was unearthed where he blamed the Jewish people for murders being carried out by Israel.
Derek Hatton thinks Jewish people are responsible for the actions of the Israeli state. I suspect there's a lot mor… https://t.co/lNgjTZB09f— Otto English (@Otto English) 1550568304
The tweet has since been deleted and shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner has added that he had lodged a formal complaint to Labour bosses.
This morning I saw the reports about not just the readmission of Derek Hatton but the tweets he has mentioned.
I wrote to the general secretary of our party, I lodged a formal complaint.
I understand that action has since been taken in respect of the complaint and I'm sure that I will be looking out to see precisely what appropriate action is taken in due course.
The seriousness of this story cannot be understated but given all the turmoil and upheaval that we are witnessing in Westminster on an almost daily basis, Twitter managed to find a way to see some humour in the situation.
Derek Hatton returning to the Labour Party. https://t.co/MEKqjv9RWg— David Schneider (@David Schneider) 1550702106
I may have been a little hasty a few days ago thinking his return was an old story. Growing story would now be a be… https://t.co/VrJc16esRr— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin Maguire) 1550693571
FFS at least give us time to write the jokes. https://t.co/JA3jfzH7c1— Sir Boothby Graffoe (@Sir Boothby Graffoe) 1550691348
Can I just say to the people who replied to my tweet about Derek Hatton being suspended from the party with "TAXI F… https://t.co/7p6ySvPFdM— Hannah Jane Parkinson (@Hannah Jane Parkinson) 1550693373
Does “shambles” cover it? https://t.co/eTiGuoWSmU— Robert Peston (@Robert Peston) 1550687257
You can leave, you're Hatton https://t.co/uDaO2SxpZ9— Trudi (@Trudi) 1550686898
Derek Hatton, hearing that Labour may have to re-re-admit him, because it can't lawfully suspend him for activities… https://t.co/L5COPiOskt— Andrew R (@Andrew R) 1550693614
Is there a bookend to this tweet Aaron? Do you salute him again on the way out? https://t.co/xC3PysiHWI— Otto English (@Otto English) 1550690323
In, out, in, out, shake it all about. https://t.co/tQ7EgCH9UR— Helen (@Helen) 1550687912
HT The Poke