Faiza Shaheen resigns from Labour Party

Faiza Shaheen has quit the Labour Party following her deselection as its candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green.

Ms Shaheen announced her resignation in a statement on X, saying the decision to drop her was "cruel and devastating".

She said she had been "penalised for describing my experiences of Islamophobia" and claimed there was a "hierarchy of racism" in the Labour Party, adding she had "been prevented from speaking out" on issues including Palestine.

The academic was deselected as the party's candidate for the east London constituency after liking a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter, that allegedly downplayed antisemitism allegations.

'I will not beg and grovel'

A Labour spokesperson said: "We are focused on electing a Labour government and delivering the change that people in Chingford and Woodford Green and across the country need."

In her statement, Ms Shaheen said: "I cannot, in all conscience, continue to contribute to a party that seems to think so little of people like me and has moved so far away from my values.

"I will not beg and grovel to earn my place - I want to be treated as an equal and with the respect afforded to others."

Ms Shaheen said she was deciding on her next steps and would make a further announcement on Wednesday.

Nominations for the election do not close until Friday, meaning she could still put herself forward as an independent candidate.

There are currently six declared candidates standing in Chingford and Woodford Green:

• Chris Brody for the Green Party

• Josh Hadley for the Liberal Democrats

• Yousaff Khan for the Workers Party of Britain

• Paul Luggeri of Reform UK

• Sir Iain Duncan Smith of the Conservative Party

• Shama Tatler of the Labour Party