CHRIS WILLIAMSON was banned from standing in next month’s general election by Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) today.

A new candidate will take his place in Derby North for the general election, to take place on December 12.

Mr Williamson, a lifelong anti-racism campaigner, was suspended for saying that Labour was “too apologetic” in response to criticism of its handling of anti-semitism allegations.

He was reinstated in June but was suspended again after backlash from some MPs, peers and Jewish groups.

Last month Mr Williamson lost a High Court bid to be reinstated, but the judge also ruled that Labour had acted unlawfully when it reopened the disciplinary case against him.

A Jewish Voice for Labour spokesperson said of the decision: “The Labour Party’s NEC has denied voters in Derby North the opportunity to vote for a principled and committed socialist campaigner who has represented their interests and loyally defended the party leadership in the face of merciless right-wing attacks.

“This is a dangerous development for everyone who stands for justice for Palestinians and for democracy and freedom of expression in Britain, including within Labour.”

Former Jarrow MP Stephen Hepburn, who was being investigated over a sexual harassment claim, was also banned from standing, as well as Roger Godsiff.

The NEC has yet to make a decision on whether Keith Vaz can stand after he was suspended from the Commons for six months by the standards commission last week.

Ms Vaz “disregarded” the law by “expressing a willingness” to help buy cocaine for male prostitutes, the watchdog said.

The committee said that Mr Vaz’s claim that his intentions for the two men were misunderstood and that he had only wanted to discuss interior design was “ludicrous.”

An audio recording of the encounter supplied to Parliament made no mention of interior design, but includes Mr Vaz complaining of another man: “He forgot the condom … I had to fuck him without a condom.”

He was reselected as Labour’s candidate in Leicester East a few weeks before the publication of the standards report.

If Mr Vaz is re-elected, he would not be able to take his seat until his suspension ends and could face a recall petition.