Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle Suspended Over Behaviour Complaint
Cut off from the election
Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle has been suspended by the Labour Party following a complaint regarding his behavior. As a result, the MP for Brighton Kemptown has been informed that he will not be eligible to stand as a candidate in the upcoming general election on 4 July.
Complaint Details and MP’s Response
Russell-Moyle disclosed to BBC South East that he believes the complaint, which concerns his behavior from eight years ago, is “vexatious and politically motivated.” Despite the allegations, he has expressed his intent to fully cooperate with the investigation process, stating his confidence in being exonerated.
In a personal statement posted on social media, Russell-Moyle described the complaint as having come "out of the blue" from an individual who remains anonymous to him. He firmly disputed the allegations, suggesting they were intended to disrupt the election.
"This is a false allegation that I dispute totally and I believe it was designed to disrupt this election," Russell-Moyle stated. "There isn't enough time to defend myself as these processes within the party take too long, so the party have told me that I will not be eligible to be a candidate at the next election. I'm gutted."
Labour Party's Stance
The Labour Party has confirmed receipt of the complaint and stated that it is being investigated according to the party's rules and procedures. A party spokesperson emphasized that the Labour Party takes all complaints seriously and ensures they are thoroughly investigated, with appropriate disciplinary action taken if necessary.
Background
Lloyd Russell-Moyle has been a prominent figure within the Labour Party, having been elected as a councilor for Brighton and Hove City Council in 2016 and subsequently to the UK Parliament in 2017. He was re-elected as MP for Brighton Kemptown in the 2019 general election with a vote share of 51.6% and a majority of 8,061, albeit with a decreased vote share compared to previous elections.
Next Steps
Labour's ruling National Executive Committee is set to meet on Tuesday to finalize and endorse the list of the party's candidates for the upcoming election. The deadline for all potential candidates to register with the Electoral Commission is Friday, 7 June.
Other Candidates
In Brighton Kemptown, the candidates for the upcoming general election are:
Khobi Vallis for the Conservatives
Elaine Hills for the Greens
Stewart Stone for the Liberal Democrats
Kellie-Jay Keen for the Party of Women
Valerie Gray for the Social Democratic Party
Elaine Ghoneim for the Workers Party of Britain
Russell-Moyle concluded his statement by expressing his continued support for the Labour Party and his hope for a Labour government. He indicated that he would look for other ways to contribute to public life while the investigation proceeds.
