SOME of the city’s Labour councillors have joined calls to expel an MP from the party over antisemitism.

Six city councillors have signed a petition, including the leader of the council’s Labour group, calling on Jeremy Corbyn to withdraw the whip from Chris Williamson for suggesting the party was “too apologetic” about antisemitism.

The leader of the council’s Labour group Councillor Adrian Gregson, Cllr Ceri Stalker, Cllr Chris Cawthorne, Cllr Jabba Riaz, Cllr Tracey Biggs and Cllr Richard Udall all signed the petition calling for the party whip to be removed from Chris Williamson.

The Derby North MP had the Labour whip restored after a national executive panel ruled he should receive only a reprimand for suggesting the party was “too apologetic” about antisemitism.

His suspension from the party was reimposed just two days after it was lifted, following anger within the party at the handling of the investigation into his comments.

Cllr Richard Udall said a “proper and thorough” investigation into Mr Williamson’s comments needed to be made.

He said: “There has been tremendous offence caused by his comments and behaviour.”

Cllr Udall said he was pleased to see the party’s national executive committee had started the process so a full investigation could take place.

The petition said Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn must “immediately” remove the whip from the MP if the party was to “stand any hope of persuading anyone that the Labour Party is taking antisemitism seriously.”

The backlash against Jeremy Corbyn and other senior Labour figures led to more than 60 Labour MPs signing a motion formally to have Mr Williamson again suspended from the parliamentary party.

More than 120 Labour MPs and peers led by Labour deputy leader Tom Watson MP demanded Mr Williamson should be kicked out of the party for his remarks about antisemitism.