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Every penny counts? Labour slammed for ‘begging’ for cash after rejecting councillor’s 1p donation

LABOUR stands accused of spending so much money on legal cases that it is having to beg members for donations to pay for its campaign in forthcoming local elections in May.

The party has written to members telling them that “every penny” counts towards the cost of the elections, which the government has announced will go ahead in May.

But leading northern Labour activist Tosh McDonald, former president of train drivers’ union Aslef, accused the party of spending so much cash fighting legal actions that it was having to turn to members for cash.

Mr McDonald, who is a Labour councillor in Doncaster, responded to the “every penny” appeal by sending Labour a donation of just that – one penny – which he said the Labour Party rejected.

Last year the Labour Party paid out a six figure sum to seven former employees over its previous rejection of statements they made about alleged anti-semitism in the Labour Party. It did so despite reported legal advice that it could win in court against the seven, who had taken legal action against it.

It has also been involved in legal action when former party leader Jeremy Corbyn mounted a challenge over his suspension.

The Jewish Voice for Labour group (JVL) also mounted a legal challenge against the suspension of local party officers and Labour’s clampdown on what can and cannot be debated at local party meetings, particularly on the issue of anti-semitism.

JVL and two suspended officers have challenged the right of Labour general secretary David Evans to “restrict freedom of speech and free political debate at our meetings.”

Campaign group Labour Activists 4 Justice has also mounted a legal challenge over widespread suspensions.

Mr McDonald, who has withdrawn from the short-listing process for candidacy in May’s elections in Doncaster, told the Morning Star: “They seem to have blown our subs on legal fees and payments to other groups so are looking for donations for May elections.

“The email said every penny counts so I tried to donate a penny and they won’t accept it. Seems every penny doesn’t count.”

Labour have not yet responded to requests for comment.

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