Chris Williamson MP gives speech in Walsall days after Labour suspension
A Labour MP appeared in the Black Country just days after being suspended over comments about the party's handling of anti-Semitism.
Chris Williamson gave a speech at a West Midlands Fire Brigades Union event in Walsall on Thursday night.
The MP for Derby North sparked fury after saying Labour had been "too apologetic" over anti-Semitism.
He was later suspended by the party over the comments, which came just days after nine Labour MPs, including Dudley's Ian Austin, quit.
He also said the party had "given too much ground" following criticism on the issue but later said he regretted the remarks.
Mr Williamson spoke for around 15 minutes at the event at the Beeches Club but did not refer to his suspension or the controversial comments. Former Labour councillor Pete Smith, who was present, said his speech "went down unanimously well" in the room.
It is understood Labour Walsall North parliamentary candidate Gill Ogilvie, who was scheduled to join the meeting, did not attend.
Mr Smith said: "He was on the top table and made a speech that went down unanimously well. It was not about the Labour party and anti-Semitism.
"It was a trade union meeting and about how we should be pressing for a change of Government so anti-union laws can be changed.
"He kept well away from that. There were one or two in the audience who commented that they thought he had been treated abysmally, and he that he had had a bad deal."
Asked whether his appearance was appropriate so soon after his suspension, Mr Smith said: "It wasn't a Labour party meeting so why not? He is a Member of Parliament who has a record of fighting for changes many people want to see."
Dudley North MP Ian Austin, who quit the Labour party last week, was not impressed by Mr Williamson's appearance in the region.
He said: "I think Chris Williamson is a very clear example of the way the Labour party has changed from a mainstream political party to a hard-left organisation and he has caused huge offence and distress to the Jewish people.
"He is a very good example of why I took the difficult decision to leave the party."
