Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne says he is considering legal action after allegations of multiple rule breaches during his reselection process.
Mr Byrne is facing a fight to retain the Parliamentary seat that he won for Labour in 2019 after being triggered by local branches. A long-list of four other candidates has been drawn up who are now challenging him for the Labour nomination in what is a very safe seat for the party.
That long-list will soon be whittled down before a shortlist of names - including the incumbent MP - will be voted on by West Derby Constituency Labour Party members. The winner will be Labour's candidate at the next General Election.
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But Mr Byrne, who previously raised issues with how the trigger process was carried out, has now spoken of concerns about the current voting process for the reselection fight.
In a statement released on social media, the MP said: "I am once again alarmed to hear allegations of multiple rule breaches during my reselection process, including members being unfairly excluded from nomination meetings in large numbers - including the two trade union nominees on Liverpool West Derby CLP's selection committee.
"Liverpool West Derby members deserve a fair process and a genuine say on who represents them. We have logged a number of complaints with the Labour Party on behalf of local members regarding alleged rule breaches, misconduct and concerns that concerted efforts are taking place to deny Liverpool West Derby members their democratic rights. I will keep members informed of the party's response."
He added: "However, as we have all lost confidence in the integrity of the process, we are also building a legal case and I will be asking for the Electoral Commission to investigate the entire process."
Mr Byrne's statement came after the person considered his main challenger for the Labour nomination - Croxteth Councillor Anthony Lavelle - celebrated being nominated by local Labour branches in West Derby including Croxteth and Norris Green, Tuebrook and Stoneycroft and Knotty Ash and West Derby.
Also joining Mr Byrne and Cllr Lavelle on Labour's West Derby long-list are Hyndburn Labour councillor Kimberley Whitehead, London Labour councillor David Bridson and Wirral Labour councillor Gillian Wood.
The Labour Party has been approached for a response to Mr Byrne's statement.
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