From left: Penny Wrout, Claudia Turbet-Delof, Clare Joseph and Fliss Premru. Pic: Hackney Labour
Three of the four Hackney councillors suspended by the local Labour party after voting in favour of a motion calling for ceasefire in Gaza have reassured their constituents they will continue to work on their behalf
Three of the Labour councillors stand for the Victoria ward: Clare Joseph, Claudia Turbel-Delof and Penny Wrout, while Fliss Premru represents Clissold ward.
In the joint statement to residents, the Victoria ward group said: “No, this suspension does not stop us from working as your local Councillors and we will continue to represent your voices in Hackney Council.
“We remain the hard-working, committed and conscientious Councillors you have known us to be.”
Following inquiries from residents regarding our recently announced two month suspension from Labour Group, we've written the message below to clarify what this means and reassure you that we continue to be your dedicated Victoria Councillors
— Victoria Ward Labour in Hackney 🌹 (@VictoriaWardLab) March 3, 2024
✉️victoria@hackney.gov.uk#Hackney pic.twitter.com/33ZwhZEPln
The statement comes after residents raised concern and inquiries regarding the suspension.
The councillors are suspended for two months on February 20, on grounds of voting for a motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, and a motion supporting an internal investigation into Labour’s handling of the former councillor Tom Dewey’s case regarding his crimes against children and young people.
From left: Councillors Fliss Premru, Clare Joseph and Claudia Turbet-Delof at a protest in February calling for ceasefire. Pic: Clare Joseph, X
Users on X have already voiced their opinion after the statement, with one local resident saying: “Disappointing and wrong move from Hackney Labour.”
A Hackney Labour spokesperson told Eastlondonlines that: “They will continue to sit as councillors and carry out their ward, committee and scrutiny commission duties during that time.
“For the purposes of the Council, they will continue to be treated as members of the Labour Group of councillors.
“They were suspended because they voted against instructions given on how the Group of Labour councillors had agreed to vote on motions presented at a meeting of the Full Council on November 29, 2023.”
