The Aberdeen councillors suspended from the Labour party for more than two years have said the expulsion of former Tony Blair spin doctor Alastair Campbell is “self-defeating”.
A prominent Remain supporter, Mr Campbell was kicked out of the party after he admitted voting for the Liberal Democrats in the European elections.
Aberdeen’s nine Labour councillors has been suspended from the party since they formed a coalition with the Tories to run the council in 2017.
Mr Campbell has previously expressed support for the ‘Aberdeen Nine’ and met with some members in the Granite City when his club Burnley played the Dons last year.
And last night Aberdeen Labour depute leader Tauqueer Malik said: “Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson has already said that expelling Alastair Campbell was spiteful and I agree.
“Tom also said that following our dreadful EU result Labour should be listening rather than expelling members.
“I believe that it is time for Richard Leonard to take action and reinstate the Aberdeen Labour Nine with immediate effect in order to help heal divisions and unite the party in it’s pursuit to deliver for the people of Aberdeen.”
Party colleague and Kincorth, Nigg and Cove councillor Sarah Duncan said that the expulsion and the ongoing suspensions were “self-defeating”.
She added: “Rather than punishing long-standing activists like Alastair and me and my colleagues, the party should support us, putting Labour values into action in Aberdeen and remove the continuing threat of disciplinary action from us.”
Lord Provost Barney Crockett added: “I met Alastair when Burnley were playing here and he is died-in-the-wool Labour.
“I don’t think internecine warfare will help any party in the present situation.”
