Former MP deselected ahead of local elections

Ruth George was the Labour MP for High Peak from 2017 to 2019

A former Labour MP and current deputy leader of the party in Derbyshire has been deselected as a candidate in the upcoming county council elections.

Ruth George, who narrowly lost her High Peak seat in 2019 and became a councillor for Whaley Bridge in a 2020 by-election, told the BBC that she was "considering her options" following the "devastating" decision.

It is understood the party had concerns about allegations of antisemitism, including when George was an MP, with a Labour source saying: "Keir Starmer has changed the Labour Party."

George told the BBC she has a "proud record of standing against antisemitism".

"The Labour Party gave me full support to stand for Derbyshire County Council in 2020 and in 2021 [under Keir Starmer's leadership]," she added.

George will continue to be a county councillor until the elections in May.

Previously, George apologised in 2019 for claiming a group of former MPs who quit the party over allegations of antisemitism may be backed by the Israeli government.

George was not under any kind of investigation by the party at the time the decision not to approve her candidacy was made.

In a post on Facebook, she said: "Not a single concern has been raised with me by the party about my five years as councillor, when I have sought to do my best for the whole community, for the many individuals in need who seek my help, and for the Labour Party.

"It has been falsely alleged that I am 'not supportive' of the current MP [Jon Pearce] - who in spite of my efforts to do so, has refused to work or campaign with me and has supported one of his staff members to become the Labour candidate for Whaley Bridge & Blackbrook, instead of me."

It is understood MPs do not play a formal role in the selection process for party candidates.

Pearce did not respond to requests for comment.

A Labour spokesperson said: "We have robust due diligence processes in place to make sure everyone selected to stand for the Labour Party is of the highest calibre. We do not comment on the selection process for individuals."

'Raised concerns'

The national chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, Lord Mike Katz, backed the party's decision to deselect George "given her woeful track record on antisemitism under [Jeremy] Corbyn".

The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region also welcomed the decision, claiming George "turned a blind eye or at worst actively supported colleagues [in her local party branch] alleged to have made appalling antisemitic comments".

George told the BBC: "To suddenly dredge up unspecified and vague allegations from six or seven years ago that as Labour MP I was associated with local Labour activists against whom allegations of antisemitism were made – but not upheld – is spurious at best.

"I have reported Labour members guilty of antisemitism to the police and to the Labour Party. I have been honoured to receive statements of support from local people who are Jewish."

George narrowly lost her seat in the High Peak constituency - which includes the town of Buxton - in 2019

Labour candidates must complete an application and submit to a confidential interview.

It is understood all applicants in Derbyshire, like elsewhere, are being interviewed by members from outside their own local branches for transparency.

It is understood the Whaley Bridge selection took place on 6 February.

Councillor Fiona Sloman, a High Peak councillor and chair of the High Peak constituency Labour Party branch, made enquiries with the party's local selection panel after members "raised concerns" over the decision.

She told the BBC: "It is always a matter of regret when long-standing members are unsuccessful in seeking selection for elections but the party now operates robust and challenging interview processes which all applicants must successfully navigate if they are to be considered."

Councillor Ben Bellamy, a former Labour councillor and deputy leader of Labour in Amber Valley who now sits as an independent, defended George as "another of the few good ones left who has been cast aside".

"I hope Ruth stands as an independent candidate, as I am sure she would win," he added.