Labour suspends councillor over Priti Patel tweet

The Labour Party has suspended a London councillor over a tweet questioning the home secretary's Asian heritage.

Joy Wallace is still a councillor on Haringey Borough Council.

Councillor Joy Wallace, who stands for the Fortis Green ward of Haringey Borough Council, suggested Ms Patel's “skin might be vitiligo or a strong sunbed” on social media in February 2020.

In May, Ms Wallace, who was elected, can no longer attend Labour meetings, or hold office within the party, although she still is an independent councillor.

She has been approached for comment.

Her Twitter account has since been removed.

In her tweets, she also accused a rabbi of being “paid handsomely” for criticising former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Radio 4.

Another tweet called Channel 4 Countdown presenter Rachel Riley, who is Jewish, a “witch” for opposing the former Labour leader.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints extremely seriously, and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.”

Haringey Borough Council was also approached for comment.