Middlesbrough MP has Labour whip restored
MP Andy McDonald has had the Labour whip restored, following the party's investigation into remarks he made during a pro-Palestinian rally last year
Last updated 13th Mar 2024
Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald has had the Labour whip restored, following the party's investigation into remarks he made during a pro-Palestinian rally last year.
An internal investigation was conducted, after he had used the phrase "between the river and the sea" - which is seen by some as anti-Israel.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: "The Chief Whip has today restored the Labour Whip to Andy McDonald MP. This follows a full investigation by the Labour Party into complaints received about public remarks that he made in October 2023.
"The investigation concluded that he had not engaged in conduct that was against the party's rulebook but reminded him of the importance of elected representatives being mindful, not only of what they say in public, but how their words may be interpreted, especially in reference to controversial or emotive issues."
Andy McDonald said he "bitterly regret(s)" the "pain and hurt caused" after having the Labour whip restored following a party investigation into remarks he made at a pro-Palestinian rally.
In a statement, the MP for Middlesbrough said: "I am grateful to the Chief Whip for the restoration of the Labour Party Whip and to all those who have supported me whilst I have been suspended, in particular the members of my Middlesbrough Constituency Party. I am pleased that the investigation found I had not breached the rules of the party.
"Nevertheless, I am always acutely conscious of the power of the language used by elected representatives and the need to be mindful of what others hear when discussing sensitive and complex issues. It was never my intention to use words that would cause anyone distress or anguish and I bitterly regret the pain and hurt caused. Accordingly, I will not use that phrasing again.
"I was disappointed that the reason for my suspension was misreported in some quarters and that this has caused reputational damage to myself and further pain and suffering to others.
"I will continue to denounce the abominations of antisemitism and Islamophobia wherever they raise their ugly heads. These are key reasons why I joined the Labour Party 45 years ago.
"I am now glad that I am able to focus all my efforts and energies on campaigning to secure the Labour Government that our country so desperately needs."
Labour had last year described his remark as "deeply offensive".
Critics of a chant that contains the phrase argue that it implicitly calls for the destruction of Israel.
But Mr McDonald, who had been sitting as an Independent while the investigation took place, previously said the reference was part of a "heartfelt plea" for peace in the Middle East.
He is among a series of MPs and parliamentary candidates to have been stripped of party support over remarks made in relation to the Israel-Hamas war.