Starmer says Labour’s general secretary quit ‘by mutual agreement’
Jeremy Corbyn is joined by Jennie Formby, general secretary of the Labour Party, at a party conference. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA. - Credit: PA
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the resignation of Jennie Formby as the party's general secretary was by 'mutual agreement'.
Formby, a close ally of ex-leader Jeremy Corbyn, announced she was standing down from her post on Monday.
The former union chief said she applied for the role two years ago 'to support Jeremy Corbyn' and said with a new leader in place 'it is the right time to step down'.
'When I applied for the role of general secretary in 2018 it was because I wanted to support Jeremy Corbyn, who inspired so many people to get involved in politics with his message of hope, equality and peace,' she said in a statement.
Now Starmer has told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It was a mutual agreement and I wish her the very best.
You may also want to watch:
'We need to move on as a party. Put a new team in place to face the future.'
Formby insisted it was the 'right time' to quit while the new leader got a grip on the party.
Most Read
- 1 Sky News presenter says Boris Johnson is 'gaslighting the nation' over Covid claims
- 2 Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid reject Boris Johnson's coronavirus claim
- 3 Nigel Farage reminded of claim that 'acid test of Brexit' surrounds fishing after clip resurfaces
- 4 Home Office launches voluntary repatriation scheme for EU nationals
- 5 PMQs: Boris Johnson calls for apology from Keir Starmer over coronavirus stances
- 6 Brussels politician says Boris Johnson should 'pay for EU workers to stay' in UK
- 7 Pro-Brexit fishing campaigner says Boris Johnson's deal has left her with 'no fish'
- 8 Jeremy Corbyn loses bid to release Labour documents ahead of High Court battle
- 9 Michael Gove claims Boris Johnson is a 'huge asset' to Scotland
- 10 Boris Johnson is the 'worst PM' and should resign, says Alastair Campbell
Her resignation came as the party is investigating the leak of a highly controversial dossier on anti-Semitism, which referred to 'factional opposition' towards Corbyn.
Labour has had to defend its data protection handling and work with the Information Commissioner's Office over the leak, with some of those named in the report threatening legal challenges.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
