Wave of senior Labour Party staff quit ahead of expected appointment of Unite's Jennie Formby as new general secretary
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A wave of senior Labour HQ staff have announced they are to quitting today, ahead of the appointment of the party's new General Secretary.
Among the high-profile resignations is John Stolliday who, as the ‘Director of Governance and Legal’, was in charge of disciplinary issues.
Jennie Formby, a regional secretary for the Unite trade union, is expected to be appointed as the new Labour General Secretary today, replacing outgoing chief Iain McNicol.
It is understood that Neil Fleming, who had been acting London Regional Director, but has worked for the party for around 20 years, is also leaving.
Dan Simpson, who Fleming replaced, and who has been working as the Parliamentary Labour Party secretary, is also understood to be quitting his post.
(Image: PA)
It is also understood that Simon Jackson, the highly respected Director of Policy and Research is leaving the post.
While Tracey Allen and Julie Lawrence, senior staff to outgoing general secretary Iain McNicol, asre also understood to be going.
The departures follow a raft of senior resignations in recent months, including McNicol, Emilie Oldknow - once tipped to be his successor - and Patrick Heneghan, the former elections chief.
A source told the Daily Mirror incoming general secretary Jennie Formby had no intention of getting rid of huge swathes of staff but some of those stepping down seem unwilling to take that risk.
(Image: PA)
The staff members who have handed their notice in will be working their three month notice periods which will include the local elections in May.
Labour Party HQ downplayed the resignations insisting that it was entirely normal for there to be some staff turnover after a General Election and with an incoming General Secretary it is entirely normal for there to be some staff turnover.
None of the five remaining (after Emilie Oldknow) executive directors are leaving.
A Labour Party Spokesperson, said: “We don’t comment on staffing matters.”
Former teachers’ union leader Christine Blower was also shortlisted for the role of general secretary but Jennie Formby, who is Unite’s former political director, has the backing of Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell and is expected to be installed when the ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) meets tomorrow.